Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
In Which States Can You Get a Medical Card for Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia can severely decrease your quality of life. Chronic pain, fatigue, sleep issues and even some cognitive impairment can severely impact your day-to-day life but could medical marijuana be the answer? Many are seeking the countless compounds found in cannabis to treat symptoms of various chronic conditions but does this work for fibromyalgia?
Can you get your medical marijuana card for fibromyalgia? Many believe this may be the answer to addressing your various symptoms. This post will cover the medical benefits of cannabis for your fibromyalgia as well as a list of all of the states where you can get your medical marijuana card for your condition.
Before we explore how to get cannabis let’s explore how it can help.
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The Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Fibromyalgia
FIbromyalgia causes widespread musculoskeletal pain. It often affects women and beyond just the pain it can cause fatigue, issues with sleeping, and the chronic pain can lead to depression or anxiety. Fibromyalgia can tend to affect women more and some doctors have dismissed it as mental or emotional but brain imaging studies have found some correlation. It can be related to an increased pain sensory processing.
People suffering from fibromyalgia may also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) tension headaches. Cannabis can help address some of the underlying symptoms. Cannabis has been found to help with reducing pain. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD as well as some of the common terpenes like linalool, pinene, humulene and caryophyllene can help address neuropathic pain.
These compounds engage with the body’s endocannabinoid system and can help reduce the inflammation associated with pain. They can also help reduce some of the muscle tension and stiffness which can be common with fibromyalgia.
Additionally, chronic pain can cause trouble sleeping. Cannabis has been common in helping people struggling with sleep disturbances. Additionally, cannabis can help improve your mood, energy levels, and help address any anxiety or depression.
There have been extensive studies into exploring cannabis as a treatment. A cross sectional study has explored its potential. These reviews have found positive connections in cannabis addressing the underlying symptoms and that it can improve quality of life.
Where Can You Get a Medical Card for Fibromyalgia?
These studies are promising. Often, states will select the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana based on scientific research. However, some biases or bureaucratic logistics can delay this process.
Here are states where you can outright get your medical marijuana card for your fibromyalgia diagnosis:
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Puerto Rico
There are also states where you may be able to get your medical marijuana card under the diagnosis of chronic pain:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
There are also states where the discretion to prescribe cannabis is at the doctor’s including:
- Oklahoma
- Washington D.C.
- Virginia
Cannabis laws can change. You can reach out to your state’s medical marijuana authority or program about including your condition. While the process may vary, most medical marijuana legislation has a system for requesting conditions be added.
Now how do you get your medical marijuana card?
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
How to Get a Medical Card for Fibromyalgia in Your State
Getting your medical marijuana card is a simple process. You can contact Green Health Docs for help in getting your recommendation in your state. The process is seamless. Even if your fibromyalgia is not covered a doctor may be able to prescribe cannabis for your related symptoms like chronic pain or a different medical issue.
Again, if fibromyalgia is not approved you can contact your government’s health agency or medical marijuana board to suggest approval.
There are also legal cannabis-related products like CBD, delta-8 and delta-10 that you can try in the interim. They may be able to alleviate some of your symptoms and give you an idea of how some of the compounds in cannabis may affect your symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Fibromyalgia can negatively impact so many areas of your life given how pervasive your symptoms can be. Luckily, cannabis can ease some of the pain and discomfort and address other issues. Ongoing research is helping to prove the curative powers of all of the compounds in cannabis but it can take time.
Finding the right doctor can help ensure you get the best from the whole process whether by seeking out specific terpene blends or cannabinoid breakdowns. Finding the right doctor in your area can be simple with some help from Green Health Docs.