By Ohio’s cannabis regulator added irritable bowel syndrome to the eligibility criteria for medical marijuana use last week, but declined to approve a petition to add autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder to the state’s list.
Under Ohio’s medical marijuana law, interested parties are permitted to petition the Ohio Medical Board to add new eligibility criteria each year. Last week, the board voted to approve a petition to add irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). But at the same time, the board announced it would not add autism or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to its list this year.
“While this addition will expand patient access to medical marijuana and help many Ohio patients with this condition, the board’s failure to approve autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder I feel sorry.” Charlie Trefney saidDirector of Government Affairs for the Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association, an industry group.
The board followed the committee’s recommendations
The Board’s decision was made in accordance with the recommendations of the Medical Cannabis Commission. Dr. Frederick Slezak, an expert on the IBS Commission, said medical cannabis use could help reduce symptoms such as vomiting, pain and nausea. He also noted that while most other treatments for IBS focus on long-term treatment, cannabis may help with acute symptoms.
Dr. Lale Copley, one of the committee’s autism experts, said there were not enough placebo-controlled studies of cannabis treatments to warrant adding the condition to the state’s list of eligible conditions. Dr. Timothy Kantz, an OCD expert on the panel, said some studies had shown promising results, but added that he believed the quality of some of the evidence was weak.
In both cases, panel experts said the potential risks of cannabis outweighed the benefits, including psychosis, adverse cognitive developmental effects and cannabis use disorders. But patient advocates disputed that claim.
“The available scientific evidence and the experiences of countless patients and physicians indicate that there are thousands of Ohioans who suffer from these conditions and who may benefit from treatment with medical cannabis.” Matt Crow saidexecutive director of the Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association.
Aaron Bloom, CEO of DocMJ, a national medical cannabis doctor’s dispensary, applauded the addition of IBS as an eligibility condition for Ohio’s medical cannabis program. But he added, “We should aim for a healthcare system that respects the expertise of medical professionals and respects the diverse needs of patients.”
“To truly harness the full potential of medical cannabis, physicians must exercise professional judgment and adapt to individual needs, rather than being restricted to a predefined list of approved conditions. It is imperative that we empower patients to recommend medical marijuana based on the law,” Bloom wrote.statement to high times. “Enabling physicians to make informed decisions about medical cannabis recommendations ensures that patients receive the best possible care and have access to comprehensive treatment options.”
Over a dozen eligibility criteria
Ohio’s medical cannabis program now lists more than a dozen varieties of marijuana qualifying medical conditions Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, type C Hepatitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, etc. that qualifies a patient for medical use of cannabis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, HIV-positive conditions, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome , traumatic brain injury, ulcerative colitis, chronic and severe or intractable pain.
The next opportunity to submit petitions to the Ohio Medical Commission to add new eligibility criteria to the state’s medical cannabis program begins November 1 and runs through December 31. In order for the Commission to reconsider terms previously rejected, the petitioner must submit new terms. Scientific information supporting the proposed changes.
Recreational cannabis legalization could be next
Ohio activists are also working to legalize recreational cannabis in the state, with a bill likely to appear on the ballot later this year. Earlier this month, the coalition that regulates marijuana, like alcohol, submitted a petition to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office calling for a legalization initiative that gathered more than 222,000 signatures. To be eligible to vote in the November elections, state officials will have to verify about 125,000 signatures, giving the group considerable leeway over signatures deemed invalid.
“We are very happy to have reached this milestone,” said a campaign spokesperson. Tom Haren said In the statement when the signature was submitted. “This is a testament to the hard work of our campaign and the support of Ohio voters who are open to common sense marijuana reform.”
If passed, the proposed ballot initiative would legalize recreational cannabis in Ohio for adults 21 and older, allowing them to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrate. become. The proposal would also legalize marijuana cultivation for personal use and allow adults to grow up to six cannabis plants. Households with two or more adults are allowed to grow a total of 12 plants.
The commercial production and sale of cannabis products is regulated by a new state agency called the Office of Cannabis Control, which “licenses, regulates, investigates, and monitors adult cannabis users, adult use testing agencies, and individuals. have the authority to impose penalties. Must be licensed. A 10% tax will be levied on cannabis products, and that tax will go toward administrative costs such as regulation, substance abuse treatment programs, social equity and employment programs. Local governments with licensed recreational cannabis dispensaries will also receive a portion of cannabis tax revenue. Under the proposed social equity program, some cannabis cultivation and dispensing licenses would be reserved for individuals in communities facing unfair enforcement of Ohio’s current cannabis laws.
