Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions
The Most Common Qualifying Conditions for Medical Cannabis
Most states in the US have implemented medical cannabis laws that provide legal access to cannabis for patients who need it for medicinal purposes. The country in whole has started its transition from a prohibition standpoint to one of regulation and harm reduction that will greatly benefit the entire nation. Read more about the 2018 Hemp Farming Bill.
That said, each state has its own list of approved medical conditions that qualify for cannabis use. The conditions listed here are the ones that are most commonly approved for medical cannabis use. If you are trying to get your own medical cannabis authorization, always check state regulations to see if your condition qualifies.
Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
Epilepsy and other seizure disorders are one of the most common conditions to be approved for medical cannabis use. It qualifies in almost every state and has made cannabis very popular for its anti-seizure properties.
Most epileptics use cannabidiol, or CBD, for this purpose as it is non-intoxicating and produces no psychoactive effects, unlike THC which is responsible for the high feeling that you get from smoking pot.
See more: Medical Marijuana for Epilepsy
A 2018 study showed that cannabidiol can significantly reduce the frequency of seizures by as much as 42%. Many states approve cannabis, especially cannabidiol, for treating pediatric epilepsy in minors.
Cancer
Though research is still ongoing and is yet to get a conclusive and definitive answer on how cannabis treats cancer, most states have accepted the fact that it can diminish the severity of cancer and chemo-caused symptoms.
These may include pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. When it comes to treating cancer-related symptoms, most patients prefer cannabis products that contain both THC and CBD.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Many of the strongest pro-cannabis advocates are patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis. They’ve seen the benefits that cannabis has to offer when it comes to treating the disease.
Research has shown that cannabis can help alleviate a wide range of symptoms that are associated with and/or caused by MS. These symptoms include insomnia, pain, inflammation, abdominal discomfort, muscle spasms, and even depression.
See more: Medical Marijuana for Back Pain
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition in the eyes that can lead to permanent damage. If glaucoma is left untreated for just a few years, it can lead to irreversible and complete blindness.
Some opthalmologists are still reluctant to advocate the use of cannabis for glaucoma but that hasn’t stopped healthier forms of non-smoked cannabis becoming more and more available in legal states to treat this very condition.
HIV/AIDS
The earliest medical cannabis advocacy campaign in the US began with its ability to treat the symptoms caused by HIV/AIDS. It is due to this that most states have approved HIV/AIDS as a qualifying condition to use medical marijuana. The symptoms that cannabis can treat include appetite loss, fatigue, and nausea among others.
Neurodegenerative Disease
Medical cannabis is also widely accepted as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like ALS, Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. Many people who suffer from these debilitating diseases can restore their living quality by taking cannabis.
Cannabis improves their cognition and mobility, relieves spasticity and rigid muscles, and reduces the impact the disease has on their life in general.
States that have legalized Medical Marijuana
Pain
While there are many different types of pain, many are approved by states as a qualifying condition. Be sure to check on whether or not your state has the type of pain you experienced approved as a qualifying condition.
It’s also worth noting that cannabis affects different kinds of pain in different ways. That said, most doctors and patients have found that cannabis products that contain both CBD and THC and most effective when trying to alleviate pain.
Nausea
Nausea is another condition that is commonly approved for medical cannabis treatment in most states. Bear in mind that there are variations in definition from state to state. For instance, some states approve cannabis treatment for nausea in general while others only let severe or intractable symptoms qualify.
THC is the main compound responsible for relieving nausea and vomiting. Be cautious with your THC doses especially if you’re ingesting it in edible form as too much of the compound can actually worsen nausea and make the symptoms more severe.
Cachexia/Wasting Syndrome
Cachexia — also known as “wasting syndrome — is a condition that tends to come with cancer and HIV/AIDS. It is characterized by a loss in appetite and weight as well as fatigue and unexplained weakness.
Seeing that cannabis — specifically varieties that are rich in THC — has the potential to treat these symptoms, it comes as no shock that so many states have approved cachexia as a qualifying condition.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that manifests in panic episodes, hypervigilance, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. The condition is most often associated with soldiers returning from active duty as well as those who have just endured a stressful situation like a kidnapping or sexual assault.
Cannabis with high CBD levels can ease the anxiety caused by PTSD if used at the right dosage. Taking cannabis before bedtime has proven effective in helping PTSD patients fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and reduce the frequency of nightmares.
At Hemper we carry a full line of legal forms of CBD Products that contain no more than 0.3% THC. Some forms include:
