Ohioans with IBS can now qualify for medical marijuana

Columbus, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohioans with irritable bowel syndrome are now eligible to use medical cannabis.

The state medical board last week unanimously approved IBS as an eligibility condition for Ohio’s medical cannabis program, making it the 26th disease on its list. Two of his other disorders, autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, did not make the cut.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that is accompanied by irregular bowel movements, excessive gas, abdominal pain and cramps. About 10-15% of adults in the United States have her IBS, but only 5-7% of him receive a diagnosis.

According to an October 2022 report from the Minnesota Department of Health, some studies have found that cannabis can reduce stomach acid and intestinal sensitivities, but few large-scale clinical trials exist to analyze its effects. Other studies suggest that cannabis users with irritable bowel syndrome have lower hospitalization rates than cannabis users.

The Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association, an advocacy group representing medical marijuana licensees in the state, applauded the board’s decision to qualify IBS to participate in the program, said Charlie Trefney, the association’s director of government affairs.

“While this addition will expand patient access to medical cannabis and help many Ohio patients with this condition, we regret that the board did not approve autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder,” Trefney said in a statement.

On July 12, the board also rejected a petition to include autism on the list of conditions, the fourth since 2019.

some research and Central Ohioans with Autism Although it has suggested that cannabis relieves symptoms of neuropathy, the board cited Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s concern that more research is needed to understand the drug’s effects.

“Although, in our view, there is little rigorous evidence that marijuana or its derivatives are beneficial for patients with autism or anxiety, there is a substantial link between cannabis use and the development or exacerbation of several mental illnesses,” a group of Nationwide Children’s Hospital doctors said in a 2022 letter.

But in recent years, there has been growing bipartisan support among state legislators to expand the reach of Ohio’s medical marijuana program to people with autism.

“All of these bills ultimately stalled in Congress, but the message was clear to resonate,” OMCIA Executive Director Matt Close said in a statement. “Patients and parents in Ohio have the right to pursue alternative treatments for autism and should have legal access to safe, tested medical cannabis produced in Ohio programs.”

The current proposals before Congress are: Senate Bill 9, a major proposal to overhaul the state’s medical cannabis program. The bill, if enacted, would add autism and opioid use disorders to the list of approved conditions, but OMCIA largely opposes the bill, which includes provisions to expand the number of medical marijuana permits available in Ohio.

The state legislature is brainstorming ways to tweak Ohio’s medical cannabis program this year. Fully legalize drug use by adults It is possible that he will eventually remain on the ballot in November.

In addition to IBS, 25 medical conditions are covered by Ohio’s medical cannabis program.

• AIDS
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia
• cancer
• chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Crohn’s disease
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Huntington’s disease
• inflammatory bowel disease
• multiple sclerosis
• chronic, severe or intractable pain
• Parkinson’s disease
• HIV positive status
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• sickle cell anemia
• spasticity
• spinal cord disease or injury
• terminal illness
• Tourette syndrome
• traumatic brain injury
• Ulcerative colitis