CANNABIS' THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS

The history of medical cannabis goes back to ancient times. For millennia, physicians in many parts of the world mixed cannabis into medicines to treat pain and other ailments. In the 19th century, cannabis was introduced for therapeutic use in Western Medicine. However, concern over the dangers of abuse led to the banning of the medicinal use of marijuana in most countries in the 1930s. Only recently, cannabis' medicinal value is being reconsidered. In fact, we've seen significant advances in our understanding of cannabis's therapeutic benefits in a range of disorders, diseases, and cancers.

CANNABIS' THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS

The history of medical cannabis goes back to ancient times. For millennia, physicians in many parts of the world mixed cannabis into medicines to treat pain and other ailments. In the 19th century, cannabis was introduced for therapeutic use in Western Medicine. However, concern over the dangers of abuse led to the banning of the medicinal use of marijuana in most countries in the 1930s. Only recently, cannabis' medicinal value is being reconsidered. In fact, we've seen significant advances in our understanding of cannabis's therapeutic benefits in a range of disorders, diseases, and cancers.

10 MOST COMMON CONDITIONS FORWHICH CANNABIS IS PRESCRIBED

Thanks to the growing body of research, support of medicinal cannabis has significantly increased over the past few years. Research shows cannabis may be able to treat or alleviate the symptoms of a variety of serious ailments.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary in type and severity, but typically include pain, spasms, balance issues, tingling, vision problems and more. Research published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal found that cannabis based extracts can significantly reduce the spasticity and pain associated with multiple sclerosis while having few adverse effects on patients.

Spinal cord injuries (caused by trauma) are known to affect motor skills and can potentially lead to total loss function in some parts of the body. Research suggests cannabis can help patients treat the pain and muscle spasms often symptomatic of a spinal cord injury, with investigators from the Oxford Centre for Enablement noting that “Cannabis medicinal extracts can improve neurogenic symptoms unresponsive to standard treatments”.

Cancer is responsible for 25 percent of all deaths in the United States. While cannabis can’t cure cancer, it can drastically reduce the severity of symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life. Research shows that both THC and CBD (two of the key active components found in cannabis) can stimulate appetite, which can help with weight loss, anorexia and cachexia which is common for many cancer patients. In addition, cannabis is very effective at combating the nausea caused by treatments such as chemotherapy.

The term ‘inflammatory bowel disease’ (IBD) describes disorders that result in inflammation of the digestive tract, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Research published in Digestion found that IBD patients experienced a variety of health benefits from using cannabis. Factors such as physical pain, social functioning, general health perception, ability to work and depression all saw notable improvement.

HIV/AIDS treatment has come a long way over the last decade. While modern therapy allows people with HIV/AIDS to live a longer, healthier life, the side effects of treatment can be challenging. A number of studies show medical cannabis can improve many symptoms, including anorexia, weight loss, severe nausea and more. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found 97 percent of HIV patients reported improved appetite with medical cannabis treatment, while 94 percent experienced reduced muscle pain and 93 percent reported improvements to both nausea and anxiety.

The term ‘spinal cord disease’ refers to any spinal cord issues that develop for reasons other than trauma. Multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, syringomyelia and spinal stenosis are considered examples of spinal cord disease. Patients living with a spinal cord disease may find therapeutic value in using cannabis based medicine because of its ability to alleviate spasticity and pain – two of the most common symptoms associated with spinal cord disease.

Research indicates that both THC and CBD dominant cannabis based medicines offer effective therapy for a range of sleep disorders, including insomnia when treated with the right strains. Cannabis is thought to reduce sleep latency, induce drowsiness and improve quality of sleep.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects almost 3.4 million Americans. The disorder is characterized by seizures, which range from relatively mild (a moment of impaired concentration) to extreme (total loss of consciousness and awareness). Cannabis based medicines and CBD dominant products in particular, have proven to be very effective at reducing the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures. However, medical cannabis should only be used in treatment resistant cases of seizures.

Arthritis is an umbrella term that refers to the inflammation of a joint. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with some of the more common types including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Symptoms include swelling and redness around the joint, reduced range of motion, stiffness, weakness, and severe, ongoing pain. In one study on the efficacy of cannabis as a form of pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis, researchers noted “a significant analgesic effect was observed and disease activity was significantly suppressed”.

Studies show medicinal cannabis may also be an effective treatment option in palliative care. Research published in Current Oncology found that medical cannabis could “provide further relief from distressing symptoms and spiritual suffering”, while improving patients’ overall quality of life.

10 MOST COMMON CONDITIONS FORWHICH CANNABIS IS PRESCRIBED

Thanks to the growing body of research, support of medicinal cannabis has significantly increased over the past few years. Research shows cannabis may be able to treat or alleviate the symptoms of a variety of serious ailments.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary in type and severity, but typically include pain, spasms, balance issues, tingling, vision problems and more. Research published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal found that cannabis based extracts can significantly reduce the spasticity and pain associated with multiple sclerosis while having few adverse effects on patients.

Spinal cord injuries (caused by trauma) are known to affect motor skills and can potentially lead to total loss function in some parts of the body. Research suggests cannabis can help patients treat the pain and muscle spasms often symptomatic of a spinal cord injury, with investigators from the Oxford Centre for Enablement noting that “Cannabis medicinal extracts can improve neurogenic symptoms unresponsive to standard treatments”.

Cancer is responsible for 25 percent of all deaths in the United States. While cannabis can’t cure cancer, it can drastically reduce the severity of symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life. Research shows that both THC and CBD (two of the key active components found in cannabis) can stimulate appetite, which can help with weight loss, anorexia and cachexia which is common for many cancer patients. In addition, cannabis is very effective at combating the nausea caused by treatments such as chemotherapy.

The term ‘inflammatory bowel disease’ (IBD) describes disorders that result in inflammation of the digestive tract, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Research published in Digestion found that IBD patients experienced a variety of health benefits from using cannabis. Factors such as physical pain, social functioning, general health perception, ability to work and depression all saw notable improvement.

HIV/AIDS treatment has come a long way over the last decade. While modern therapy allows people with HIV/AIDS to live a longer, healthier life, the side effects of treatment can be challenging. A number of studies show medical cannabis can improve many symptoms, including anorexia, weight loss, severe nausea and more. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found 97 percent of HIV patients reported improved appetite with medical cannabis treatment, while 94 percent experienced reduced muscle pain and 93 percent reported improvements to both nausea and anxiety.

The term ‘spinal cord disease’ refers to any spinal cord issues that develop for reasons other than trauma. Multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, syringomyelia and spinal stenosis are considered examples of spinal cord disease. Patients living with a spinal cord disease may find therapeutic value in using cannabis based medicine because of its ability to alleviate spasticity and pain – two of the most common symptoms associated with spinal cord disease.

Research indicates that both THC and CBD dominant cannabis based medicines offer effective therapy for a range of sleep disorders, including insomnia when treated with the right strains. Cannabis is thought to reduce sleep latency, induce drowsiness and improve quality of sleep.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects almost 3.4 million Americans. The disorder is characterized by seizures, which range from relatively mild (a moment of impaired concentration) to extreme (total loss of consciousness and awareness). Cannabis based medicines and CBD dominant products in particular, have proven to be very effective at reducing the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures. However, medical cannabis should only be used in treatment resistant cases of seizures.

Arthritis is an umbrella term that refers to the inflammation of a joint. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with some of the more common types including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Symptoms include swelling and redness around the joint, reduced range of motion, stiffness, weakness, and severe, ongoing pain. In one study on the efficacy of cannabis as a form of pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis, researchers noted “a significant analgesic effect was observed and disease activity was significantly suppressed”.

Studies show medicinal cannabis may also be an effective treatment option in palliative care. Research published in Current Oncology found that medical cannabis could “provide further relief from distressing symptoms and spiritual suffering”, while improving patients’ overall quality of life.

MMJ QUALIFYING CONDITIONS

Although cannabis is federally illegal in the United States (for now), many states have legalized cannabis for medical purposes. But in order to qualify, patients must have a diagnosed ailment that is on their state’s list of qualifying conditions.

Here is a list of each state and the qualifying medical conditions and symptoms. These conditions must be verified by a physician in order to get authorized as a valid medical marijuana patient. Please note that some states allow physicians to approve other medical conditions not listed on a case-by-case basis, so please check with your doctor.

 (Qualifying conditions are subject to change. Please verify with your state)

MMJ QUALIFYING CONDITIONS

Although cannabis is federally illegal in the United States (for now), many states have legalized cannabis for medical purposes. But in order to qualify, patients must have a diagnosed ailment that is on their state’s list of qualifying conditions.

Here is a list of each state and the qualifying medical conditions and symptoms. These conditions must be verified by a physician in order to get authorized as a valid medical marijuana patient. Please note that some states allow physicians to approve other medical conditions not listed on a case-by-case basis, so please check with your doctor.

 (Qualifying conditions are subject to change. Please verify with your state)

Alabama

High-CBD forms of cannabis is only allowed for use in a state-sponsored clinical trial for treating:
  • Severe, debilitating epileptic conditions

Arkansas

Qualifying conditions for the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C
  • ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease
  • Tourette’s Syndrome
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Severe arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Alzheimer’s disease
A chronic or debilitating disease that produces:
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Intractable pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis

Connecticut

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Connecticut include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Epilepsy
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Wasting syndrome
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Post Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy
  • Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Terminal illness requiring end of life care
  • Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder
  • Hydrocephalus with intractable headaches
  • Intractable migraines
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Intractable headache syndrome*
  • Neuropathic facial pain*
  • Fibromyalgia*
  • Muscular dystrophy*
  • Rheumatoid arthritis*
For underage patients:
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Severe epilepsy
  • Terminal illness requiring end-of-life care
  • Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder

Alaska

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Alaska include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
Any chronic or debilitating disease or treatment for such diseases, which produces:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Severe pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including those that are characteristic of epilepsy
  • Persistent muscle spasms, including those that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis

California

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in California include:
  • Cancer
  • Anorexia
  • AIDS
  • Chronic pain
  • Spasticity
  • Cachexia
  • Persistent muscle spasms, including those associated with multiple sclerosis
  • Seizures, including, but not limited to, those associated with epilepsy
  • Severe nausea
  • Glaucoma
  • Arthritis
  • Migraines
Any other chronic or persistent medical symptom that substantially limits the ability of the person to conduct one or more major life activities (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) or, if not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the patient’s safety or physical or mental health

Delaware

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Delaware include:
  • Terminal illness
  • Cancer
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Decompensated cirrhosis
  • Hepatitis C
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS)
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)*Must be certified by a licensed psychiatrist
  • Intractable epilepsy
  • Autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior
A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Severe, debilitating pain that has not responded to prescribed medication in 3 months
  • Intractable nausea
  • Seizures
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
Pediatric Patients Qualifying Conditions*:*If the qualifying patient is younger than 18 years of age, the physician must be a pediatric neurologist, pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric oncologist or pediatric palliative care specialist.
  • Intractable epilepsy
A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition where they have failed treatment involving one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Intractable nausea
  • Severe, painful and persistent muscle spasms

Arizona

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Arizona include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
A chronic or debilitating condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Severe and chronic pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

Colorado

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Colorado include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
If the patient has a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Persistent muscle spasms
  • Seizures
  • Severe nausea
  • Severe pain

District of Columbia (Washington D.C.)

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Washington, D.C. include:
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • Severe or peristent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
  • Any other condition that is chronic, cannot be effectively treated by ordinary medical measures, or,
  • Any condition for which treatment with medical marijuana would be beneficial, as determined by the patient’s physician

Florida

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Florida include:
  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Chronic seizures
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those listed above
  • A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the certification
  • Chronic nonmalignant pain

Illinois

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Illinois include:
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
  • Arnold-Chiari malformation and syringomyelia
  • Cachexia/wasting syndrome
  • Cancer
  • Causalgia
  • Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
  • Crohn’s disease
  • CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I)
  • CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II)
  • Dystonia
  • Fibromyalgia (severe)
  • Fibrous dysplasia
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis C
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Hydromyelia
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Lupus
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Myoclonus
  • Nail-patella syndrome
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Post-concussion syndrome
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
  • Residual limb pain
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
  • Seizures (including those characteristic of epilepsy)
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Spinal cord disease (including but not limited to arachnoiditis, Tarlov cysts, hydromyelia & syringomelia)
  • Spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)
  • Syringomyelia
  • Tarlov cysts
  • Tourette syndrome
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Georgia

Georgia only allows for the use of low THC oil (less than 5% THC by weight).Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Georgia include:
  • Cancer (end-stage)
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) (severe or end-stage)
  • Seizure disorders related to diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries
  • Severe multiple sclerosis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Mitochondrial disease
  • Severe Parkinson’s disease
  • Severe sickle cell disease

Indiana

Indiana provides civil immunity for a health care provider if the patient who possesses the cannabidiol is a part of a clinical trial. Conditions include:
  • Epilepsy
  • Lennox-Gestaut syndrome
  • Dravet syndrome
  • Other seizure disorders

Kentucky

Kentucky allows for the use of low-THC cannabis or industrial hemp-derived CBD oil. Only those who are participating in a clinical trial or expanded access program are legally allowed to possess CBD oil.

Louisiana

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Louisiana include:
  • Symptoms related to cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • Spastic quadriplegia

Hawaii

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Hawaii include:
  • Cancer
  • Chronic pain
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Lupus
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Severe pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease.

Iowa

Iowa allows for the use of high-CBD cannabis extracts with less than .3% THC.Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Iowa include:
  • Intractable epilepsy

Maryland

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Maryland include:
  • Cachexia
  • Anorexia
  • Wasting syndrome
  • Severe chronic pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms
  • Glaucoma
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Chronic pain

Mississippi

Mississippi allows access to CBD oil only. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Mississippi include:
  • Debilitating epileptic seizure disorders

Montana

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Montana include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Severe or chronic pain
  • Intractable nausea or vomiting
  • Epilepsy or an intractable seizure disorder
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Painful peripheral neuropathy
  • A central nervous system disorder resulting in chronic, painful spasticity or muscle spasms
  • Admittance into hospice care
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

New Jersey

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in New Jersey include:
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS)
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Terminal cancer
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Terminal illness if the physician has determined a prognosis of less than 12 months of life
  • Seizure disorder, including epilepsy
  • Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
  • Glaucoma
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Cancer
  • Anxiety*
  • Migraines*
  • Tourette’s Syndrome*
  • Chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders*
  • Chronic pain of visceral origin (related to internal organs)*
*Currently awaiting final decision from NJ Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett

North Carolina

North Carolina allows for the use of CBD oil only. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in North Carolina include:
  • Intractable epilepsy

Massachusetts

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Massachusetts include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Other debilitating conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s certifying physician.

Minnesota

Minnesota does not allow for smokeable cannabis, only a 30-day supply of oils, edibles, and concentrates. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Minnesota include:
  • Cancer associated with chronic pain, nausea/severe vomiting, wasting
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS)
  • Tourette syndrome
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms
  • Terminal illness with life expectancy of less than one year
  • Intractable pain*
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

New Hampshire

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in New Hampshire include:
  • Cancer
  • Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Chronic pancreatitis
  • Spinal cord injury or disease
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Epilepsy
  • Lupus
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A severely debilitating or terminal medical condition that produces one or more of the following:
  • Elevated intraocular pressure
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Severe pain
  • Severe nausea/vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Severe, persistent muscle spasms

Maine

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Maine include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Nail-patella syndrome
A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Severe muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis and other diseases causing severe and persistent muscle spasms)

Michigan

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Michigan include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Nail-patella syndrome
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (wasting disease)
  • Severe and chronic pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis

Missouri

Missouri legalized medical marijuana with the passage of Amendment 2 in Nov. 2018. That measure set out these qualifying conditions:
  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Intractable migraines
  • Conditions that cause persistent pain or muscle spasms, including MS, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette’s syndrome.
  • Debilitating psychiatric disorders such as PTSD
  • HIV or AIDS
  • A chronic medical condition normally treated with prescription medication that can lead to dependence, when a physician determines that medical marijuana could be an effective and safer treatment. (This is most commonly used with regard to prescription opioids.)
  • Any terminal illness
  • Hepatitis C
  • ALS
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Autism
  • Neuropathies
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Cachexia
  • Wasting disease
  • Any other chronic or debilitating medical condition that, in the professional judgment of a physician, might be helped by the use of medical cannabis.
South Carolina allows for the use of CBD oil only. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in South Carolina include:
  • Certain forms of epilepsy as part of a state-run clinical trial

Oklahoma

Oklahoma allows for the use of CBD oil only. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Oklahoma include:
  • Must be under the age of 18 suffering from:
    • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
    • Dravet syndrome
    • Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy
    • Any form of refractory epilepsy not treatable by traditional medical therapies

Rhode Island

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Rhode Island include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C
A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Chronic pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease

Oregon

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Oregon include:
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • A degenerative or pervasive neurological condition
  • HIV/AIDS
A medical conditions that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Severe pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including but not limited to seizures caused by epilepsy
  • Persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those caused by multiple sclerosis
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Pennsylvania

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Pennsylvania include:
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Autism
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Intractable seizures
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Neuropathies
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Severe, chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention and opiate therapy is contraindicated or ineffective
  • Sickle cell anemia

New Mexico

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in New Mexico include:
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS)
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis C infection currently receiving antiviral treatment
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Huntington’s Disease
  • Hospice care
  • Inclusion Body Myositis
  • Inflammatory autoimmune-mediated arthritis
  • Intractable nausea/vomiting
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with intractable spasticity
  • Painful peripheral neuropathy
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Severe chronic pain
  • Severe anorexia
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Spasmodic Torticollo (cervical dystonia)
  • Ulcerative colitis

North Dakota

North Dakota’s qualifying conditions for the North Dakota Compassionate Care Act include:
  • Cancer and its treatments
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C (decompensated cirrhosis)
  • ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)*must be diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist
  • Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or treatment of these conditions
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Spinal stenosis
Chronic back pain, including:
  • Neuropathy or damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Glaucoma
  • Epilepsy
A chronic or debilitating disease, medical condition, or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Severe, debilitating pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures for more than three months or for which other treatment options produced serious side effects
  • Intractable nausea
  • Seizures
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis.

South Carolina

South Carolina allows for the use of CBD oil only. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in South Carolina include:
  • Certain forms of epilepsy as part of a state-run clinical trial

Nevada

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Nevada include:
  • AIDS
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Cachexia
  • Condition or treatment for a medical condition that produces cachexia (general physical wasting and malnutrition)
  • Persistent muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis)
  • Seizures (including epilepsy)
  • Severe nausea
  • Severe pain

New York

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in New York include:
  • Cancer
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Spinal cord damage with spasticity
  • Epilepsy
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Neuropathies
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Chronic pain
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Must include associated or complicating conditions:
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Severe or chronic pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms

Ohio

Ohio’s medical marijuana program is expected to be functional by September 2018. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Ohio include:
  • AIDS
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Cancer
  • Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis C
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Chronic, severe and/or intractable pain
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • HIV-positive status
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Spinal cord injury or disease
  • Tourette’s syndrome
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Ulcerative colitis

Tennessee

Tennessee allows for the use of CBD oil only. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Tennessee include:
  • Intractable seizures (as part of a clinical research study)

Texas

Texas allows for the use of CBD oil only. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Texas include:
  • Intractable epilepsy

Washington

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Washington include:
  • Cancer
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Spasticity disorders
  • Intractable pain
  • Glaucoma
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Hepatitis C
  • Diseases, including anorexia, which result in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity
  • Chronic renal failure requiring dialysis
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Wyoming

Wyoming allows for the use of CBD oil only. Qualifying conditions include:
  • Intractable epilepsy

Utah

Utah voters approved the legalization of medical marijuana under Proposition 2 in Nov. 2018. That measure left qualifying conditions to be determined by state officials, however. Those conditions are expected to be set sometime in later 2019.Under a previous law, Utah allows for the use of CBD oil. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient using CBD oil in Utah include:
  • Intractable epilepsy

West Virginia

Qualifying conditions to be a medical marijuana patient in West Virginia include:
  • Cancer
  • HIV/AIDS
  • ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Epilepsy
  • Neuropathies
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Intractable seizures
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Severe chronic pain of neuropathic origin
  • Terminal illness, with a prognosis of one year or less to live

Vermont

Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Vermont include:
  • Cancer
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • AIDS/HIV
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A chronic or debilitating disease that produces severe, persistent and one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Severe pain
  • Nausea
  • Seizures (including those characteristic of epilepsy)

Wisconsin

Wisconsin allows for the use of non-intoxicating CBD oil only. Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Wisconsin include:
  • Seizure disorders

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