If you are a resident of Ohio who is suffering from anxiety, you may be on the lookout for a healthy and effective treatment for the condition.
Many who suffer from anxiety disorder consider medical marijuana to be an effective treatment. However, residents of Ohio need to do their research.
In Ohio, medical marijuana was legalized in 2016. While medical marijuana is legal in the state, patients must acquire a medical marijuana card to be able to legally purchase products. Patients must be diagnosed with a qualifying condition to be granted a medical marijuana card in Ohio.
Anxiety and Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Marijuana Card
Anxiety disorder is a common condition that impacts an estimated 18 percent of the American population. Unfortunately, anxiety alone does not qualify patients for a medical marijuana card in Ohio as of 2022.
While medications such as benzodiazepines and SSRIs are available to treat anxiety, Ohio residents cannot currently benefit from marijuana treatment for anxiety alone. Yet there are certain qualifying conditions that could involve anxiety as a symptom.
If a patient experiences anxiety as a symptom of another condition, that patient may be able to qualify for a medical marijuana card in Ohio.
Chronic Conditions of Which Anxiety Is a Symptom
Ohio residents who are wondering if they can get a medical marijuana card for anxiety treatment should familiarize themselves with the list of qualifying conditions. There are currently 25 conditions on the list of qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card. These include numerous conditions for which anxiety is a common symptom.
Many of the chronic pain conditions that are listed as qualifying conditions for a marijuana card frequently cause anxiety in affected patients. For example, fibromyalgia, migraines, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injuries are all conditions that are comorbid with anxiety.
Patients should also note that post-traumatic stress disorder is a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card in Ohio. Patients who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder typically experience anxiety. If your anxiety is the result of a traumatic event, you may qualify for a medical marijuana card through a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis.
The best way to find out if your particular case of anxiety could qualify you for a medical marijuana card is to discuss your condition with a doctor. Doctors offering medical marijuana cards in Ohio can listen to the details of your condition and let you know if you can qualify for treatment. Schedule an appointment with an Ohio physician who is licensed to prescribe medical marijuana and can recommend you to get your medical marijuana card in Ohio.
Expected Changes to Medical Marijuana Card Qualification in the Future
Although anxiety alone is not currently on the Ohio medical marijuana card list, this list can change over time. The qualifying condition list is periodically updated, and state officials may eventually determine that anxiety should be added to the condition list.
Another thing that may happen in the future to allow anxiety patients to benefit from marijuana treatment is the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state. As in many states, there is a strong push in Ohio to legalize recreational marijuana. It’s possible that recreational marijuana could be legalized in the state in 2022 or 2023.
If recreational marijuana is legalized in the state, anxiety patients will be able to purchase cannabis products without a marijuana card. Ohio residents should also keep in mind the possibility that recreational marijuana may be legalized on the federal level in the coming years.
Bottom Line
Although some restrictions remain when it comes to medical marijuana availability in Ohio, most anxiety patients should be able to acquire a marijuana card in the state. Patients typically can qualify for marijuana due to the inclusion of chronic/severe pain conditions or mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder on the qualifying condition list.