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Can you get a medical card for ADHD in Colorado in 2024? It’s a popular question because every state with legal medical marijuana is permitted to select its own guidelines regarding which conditions qualify.
Another reason why people ask, “Can you get a medical card for ADHD in Colorado?” is the prevalence of the condition in children and adults. According to the latest stats, 8.7 million American adults have the condition.
In this guide, we answer this question and discuss the current Colorado medical marijuana landscape to help you understand whether you can qualify for an MMJ card due to your ADHD diagnosis.
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Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Colorado
Colorado has one of the highest rates of medical marijuana usage in the country. With 72,831 medical marijuana cardholders in 2023, Colorado ranks 4th on the overall list. Despite the Centennial State’s openness to marijuana use, it still has a list of qualifying conditions.
Under Colorado law, various conditions could qualify you for a medical marijuana card, including:
- AIDS
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV
- Cachexia
- Seizures
- Muscle spasms
- Severe nausea
- Chronic pain
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Autism
Regarding the question, “Can you get a medical card for ADHD in Colorado?” the condition doesn’t feature on the state’s list of qualifying conditions. Still, if you have also been diagnosed with another condition that is on the list, you could apply for and receive your medical marijuana card.
So, Can You Get a Medical Card for ADHD in Colorado?
Unfortunately, an ADHD diagnosis alone will not qualify you for a medical marijuana card. But can you get a medical card for ADHD in Colorado if you have also been diagnosed with another condition?
In this scenario, an ADHD patient may qualify for a medical card, but only if another condition is on the current list. If your only medical diagnosis is ADHD, you won’t qualify for an MMJ card.
However, since Colorado legalized marijuana in 2012 for recreational purposes, you’re still entitled to walk into a dispensary and purchase marijuana. Medical card holders continue to pay standard sales taxes, but they avoid the high excise taxes, meaning they can enjoy lower prices on all of their marijuana purchases.
With this in mind, you may be wondering why ADHD isn’t a qualifying condition. The truth is that the science isn’t clear-cut on the effects of cannabis on ADHD. Some studies have demonstrated benefits for ADHD sufferers, but others couldn’t find a clear correlation.
Although this doesn’t represent comprehensive proof, scientists are still in the process of studying the impact of weed on ADHD.
The Effects of Cannabis on ADHD
Cannabis has never been presented as a cure for ADHD as a condition. As with qualifying conditions like autism, the goal is to use marijuana to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Since weed remains illegal at the federal level, limited research exists into cannabis and ADHD. Let’s examine some of the most prominent studies:
- A case report in 2018 examined the effects of high-THC products on ADHD patients. It found that taking high-THC cannabis improved ADHD symptoms.
- In 2020, a small study revealed that adults who took high-dosage medical marijuana products, including CBD, took fewer pharmaceutical ADHD medications.
- Yet, in 2023, a review of case studies concluded that the overall effect of cannabis on ADHD was inconclusive. Note that this doesn’t prove that cannabis has no impact, only that more research is required.
Due to the nature of ADHD and the medications patients tend to be prescribed, it’s recommended that cannabis users tread with care. Adverse drug interactions with some pharmaceuticals could lead to hallucinations and psychosis. This is why you should speak to your doctor before combining the two.
This uncertainty and perceived risks make the answer to the question, “Can you get a medical card for ADHD in Colorado?” a no for now.
Schedule an Appointment With a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Colorado Today!
Anyone with a diagnosed condition thinking about medical marijuana should always take expert medical advice before proceeding. Everyone is different, and a thorough review of your medical history and current prescriptions is necessary to ensure you do what’s best for your health.
Although ADHD isn’t a qualifying condition in Colorado, other conditions could enable you to obtain your medical marijuana card. Contacting Green Health Docs for support with your application couldn’t just allow you the benefits of access to medical weed in Colorado and take advantage of reciprocity agreements in some states.
To find out whether you qualify for a medical marijuana card in Colorado, contact Green Health Docs today.
This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.