New conditions added to qualify for medical marijuana – The Tribune

COLUMBUS (AP) – The Ohio State Medical Board approved petitions to allow three new conditions for patients to receive medical marijuana.

Huntington’s disease, terminal diseases and spasticity were added to the list of qualified medical marijuana diseases on Wednesday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

The board voted to reject petitions to include autism spectrum disorder, restless legs syndrome, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and convulsions.

Earlier this year, the board noted that arthritis, chronic migraines, and the complex regional pain syndrome all fall into the existing chronic or persistent pain category for medical marijuana treatment.

The committee considers that petitions should include new terms on a medical marijuana card, which must be supported by evidence that the drug can be used to treat or alleviate the disease or condition and that it has medical backing.

In April, in response to patient complaints about lack of access and costs, the board voted to more than double the number of medical marijuana dispensaries.

The number of people who have registered to buy medical marijuana has been far higher than expected since the pharmacies opened in January 2019. Since then, over 155,000 individual patients have purchased.