Columbus, OH: Members of the State Medical Board have amended Ohio’s medical marijuana access program so that patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are now eligible to use medical cannabis products.
Data published last year in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology reported that IBS patients “perceive symptom benefits and report decreased emergency room visits without serious adverse effects” following their use of cannabis products.
By contrast, Board members rejected efforts to include autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder among the list of qualifying conditions for which doctors may recommend medical marijuana.
Data published in 2020 reported that cannabis inhalation is associated with temporary reductions in perceived OCD symptoms among patients diagnosed with the disorder. Numerous observational studies from Israel and elsewhere have documented symptom improvements following the use of CBD-rich cannabis preparations in children and adults with autism. Survey data published in 2021 by the publication Autism Parenting Magazine reported that 22 percent of US caregivers or parents have provided CBD to an autistic child.
Over 330,000 Ohio residents are registered to access cannabis products.
Additional information about Ohio’s medical cannabis program is available from NORML.