Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016 with the passing of House Bill 523. The bill made it possible for Ohio residents to purchase and use medical marijuana provided they were diagnosed with at least one of many specified conditions, including some physiological disorders. But can you get a medical marijuana card for anxiety in Ohio?
The answer is slightly more complicated than a mere yes or no. Anxiety is not on Ohio’s official list of qualifying conditions. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t eligible for a medical marijuana card. Here’s why.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Ohio
House Bill 523 lists several medical conditions that may qualify patients for medical marijuana eligibility in Ohio. In the Buckeye State, you may be eligible for a medical marijuana card if you have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:
- Anemia
- HIV/AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis (or another condition that causes spasticity)
- Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or Huntington’s disease
- Cachexia
- Cancers or any terminal illness
- Encephalopathy
- Glaucoma
- Crohn’s disease
- Colitis
- Epilepsy (or another condition that causes seizures)
- Fibromyalgia
- Hepatitis C
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Traumatic injury to the spinal cord or brain
- Spinal cord disease or injury
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So Can You Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Anxiety in Ohio in 2024?
Unfortunately, anxiety is not listed as a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card in Ohio. However, depending on the nature of your anxiety disorder and whether or not you have any concurrent conditions, you may still be able to get a medical marijuana card that would allow you to legally obtain medical cannabis in Ohio.
House Bill 523 lists over two dozen medical conditions that can qualify residents for medical marijuana benefits. Anxiety can be an associated symptom of some of these qualifying conditions. For example, an individual living with PTSD may also experience anxiety as a secondary effect of their condition. Some of the medical marijuana qualifying conditions that can cause anxiety include:
- Cancers and terminal illnesses
- PTSD
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic pain
Individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injuries may also experience short-term or long-term anxiety. Traumatic brain injury is a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card in Ohio.
The Effects of Cannabis on Anxiety
Most of the research on the effects of cannabis on anxiety focuses on two primary chemical compounds in marijuana: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive terpenoid responsible for the intoxicating effects of marijuana, and cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive substance found in cannabis and hemp plants. CBD is linked to a range of medical benefits.
Studies suggest that, in some cases, marijuana use can have positive effects on anxiety symptoms. In experiments with both human and animal subjects, administering CBD and THC in low doses improved anxiety symptoms. However, exposing subjects to higher doses of these compounds, especially THC, worsened their anxiety symptoms. One study found that 17% of its test subjects experienced severe anxiety, including panic attacks, following acute cannabis toxicity.
More research is needed to fully understand the link between marijuana and anxiety. While CBD and THC have been extensively studied for their effects on anxiety, there’s still limited research on the potential impact of the numerous other cannabinoids present in cannabis plants. Other naturally occurring chemical compounds in marijuana, such as terpenes, which give the plant its distinctive smell and flavor, require further investigation to determine their effects on anxiety.
Schedule an Appointment with a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Ohio Today!
Are you wondering if you can get a medical marijuana card for anxiety in Ohio? The official answer is no. But if you have a related condition, you may be eligible. The best way to find out is to talk with a qualified medical marijuana doctor.
Green Health Docs is on a mission to help people discover the health-boosting potential of medical marijuana. Our network of licensed marijuana doctors in Ohio can answer your questions and determine whether your health history qualifies you for medical marijuana. If you’re eligible, we can help you apply for your medical marijuana card and point you toward medical marijuana dispensaries in Ohio.
Join others in discovering the healing power of medical marijuana. Browse our site to find a medical marijuana doctor near you and schedule an appointment with 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.