Medical Marijuana for Back Pain and Cancer

Medical Marijuana is coming to Ohio and you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you too can qualify to become a legal cannabis patient. One of the most important steps to getting your medical marijuana card in Ohio is receiving (and being able to provide proof of) a diagnosis for at least one of the following qualifying conditions:

• • PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder)
  • Epilepsy or another Seizure disorder
  • Fibromyalgia
  • AIDS (or HIV+ status)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis C
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Tourette’s syndrome
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord disease or injury
  • Chronic, Severe or Intractable Pain
  • Cancer

As you can see, most of these conditions are very specific, but when it comes to pain and cancer it’s not just terminally ill or disabled patients that are eligible to register. Millions of people are suffering a reduced quality of life from various forms of pain or injury. If your specific condition isn’t listed above, let’s explore common ways to qualify for medical cannabis that fall under the last two categories.

Back to Nature for Back Pain

Chronic back pain afflicts millions of Americans, often due to some form of arthritis or injury. Muscle relaxers and low dose opioids can work for some people, but for others they can cause sedation or other unwanted side effects. Furthermore, America has an opioid epidemic due to the addictive nature of these pain killers. For many patients, cannabis is a much safer option with far fewer side effects. Some patients endure their pain without opioids, so proof of having undergone back surgery or joint replacement surgery can also suffice to qualify.

Nerve pain and numbness from herniated discs is another common source of pain. This also an issue for those with diabetic neuropathy or for patients who have used powerful chemotherapy medications that damaged their nerves. People suffering from trigeminal neuralgia or residual pain from shingles can also find much needed relief. THC topicals that won’t have any psychoactive effect when applied can be a great choice for managing these kinds of pain.

Getting Legal Doesn’t Have to be a Headache

Those who suffer from migraines or cluster headaches have an invisible illness with debilitating symptoms. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t on our radar for medical cannabis. Severe headaches and related symptoms such as nausea and vomiting are notoriously hard to treat, so patients can sometimes find relief with cannabis that their medications can’t provide. Another advantage is that inhaling cannabis provides relief within minutes to really attack headaches quickly at their onset.

A Joint for Your Joints

There are many forms of joint pain that can qualify you as a cannabis patient. Osteoarthritis is often treated with NSAIDs, which can damage your stomach lining long term. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus patients not only get pain relief, but also benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis. Other forms of arthropathy such as those related to inflammatory bowel disease or Lyme disease can qualify as well. There are also various genetic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos where patients experience constant joint dislocations and pain that will easily qualify.

The Worst for Last

Cancer itself is a devastating illness, but the side effects from many common cancer treatments make it even more difficult to maintain a good quality of life. Cannabis is great for managing the symptoms of chemotherapy and radiation including neuropathy, nausea and fatigue. It also improves the patient’s appetite to help with the wasting and anorexia related to cancer. Some research even shows that cannabis has some inherent anti-cancer properties. Any cancer can potentially qualify – including skin cancers, if severe enough.

The List Goes On and On

Just because your condition isn’t listed above doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to qualify. For example, there are many organ-related sources of pain like endometriosis, diverticulosis or adhesions from past surgeries, just to name a few. There are also a handful of rare genetic conditions and infections that can cause chronic pain. Just bring in proof of these conditions if you are not able to manage your pain with your current medications.

Green Health Docs is here to make sure you get the relief you deserve! We provide guidance on the use of medical cannabis to treat many different ailments and conditions, and can help verify whether or not you could qualify. We also broadcast our educational sessions on YouTube and Facebook. For more information or to find out how to become a legal medical cannabis patient in Maryland or Ohio, call or text us at 240-356-1000.