Around 40 million Americans experience insomnia every year. If you’re struggling with insomnia, you may be looking for effective solutions to get your sleep schedule back on track.
Many patients turn to treatment options like medications, supplements, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and more. But recently, more patients are turning to cannabis for relief from insomnia. The relaxing effect of cannabis compounds THC and CBD can help patients fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.
Can you get a medical card for insomnia in Ohio? The short answer is no, insomnia isn’t a qualifying condition in Ohio. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways you can qualify for a medical marijuana card in the state.
Let’s explore Ohio’s current stance on medical marijuana for insomnia and other sleep issues in 2024.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Ohio
Ohio has only recently opened the gates for recreational marijuana use, but the medical marijuana program has been in place since 2016. The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program allows people with certain medical conditions to purchase and use marijuana. To apply, you must be recommended by a physician licensed in Ohio.
To qualify for a medical marijuana card in Ohio, you must have one of the following qualifying conditions:
- AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy (or another seizure disorder)
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Huntington’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Multiple sclerosis
- Chronic, severe, or intractable pain
- Parkinson’s disease
- HIV
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sickle cell anemia
- Spasticity
- Spinal cord disease or injury
- Terminal illness
- Tourette syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Ulcerative colitis
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So Can You Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Insomnia in Ohio in 2024?
While Ohio has a long list of qualifying medical conditions, insomnia isn’t one of them. That means having insomnia alone as a diagnosis won’t qualify you for a medical marijuana card in Ohio.
However, if you have another condition causing your insomnia, you could still qualify. For example, a condition like cancer, chronic pain, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could trigger sleep issues. If your doctor determines that this condition makes you eligible, you could still enjoy the benefits of medical marijuana for sleep.
If you don’t have any of the qualifying conditions on the list, you’re out of luck for now. That said, there’s a chance that the program will expand in the future. The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program considers petitions for new qualifying conditions each year.
The Effects of Cannabis on Insomnia
Insomnia is more than just a night or two of poor sleep. It’s an acute or chronic inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get restful sleep. It can cause drowsiness, irritability, and other psychological problems. Long-term insomnia is also associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Medicinal cannabis has been shown to help alleviate sleep problems. Cannabinoids bind with receptors in the brain, sending messages to suppress the brain’s arousal system and increase levels of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that induces feelings of sleepiness and sedation.
A review of clinical research indicates that cannabinoids may help improve sleep disturbances, with study participants reporting an improvement in sleep quality. One study found that cannabis could increase melatonin levels, improve sleep quality, and extend sleep duration in just two weeks. Another study revealed that medical cannabis users perceive a significant improvement in insomnia symptoms with cannabis use. This effect was especially significant with Indica-dominant strains, which are known for their relaxing and sedating effects.
Schedule an Appointment with a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Ohio Today!
Insomnia affects tens of millions of Americans each year, disrupting healthy patterns of sleep and leading to mental distress. If you’re an Ohio resident looking to get a medical marijuana card for insomnia, you might not be able to get one right away.
However, you could still qualify if you have a qualifying condition alongside your insomnia. As the medical marijuana program in Ohio continues to gain momentum, opportunities open up each year for new conditions to be added to the list. Speak with a licensed medical marijuana doctor in Ohio to find out if getting a medical marijuana card is a possibility for you.
At Green Health Docs, our mission is to help more patients experience the powerful and transformative effects of medical marijuana. Through in-person and telehealth appointments, our team works with you to help you obtain an MMJ card, following all state regulations. Learn more about the process or book an appointment with one of our licensed Ohio medical marijuana doctors 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.