The cannabis plant contains at least 85 different cannabinoids, a class of chemical compounds that have a biological effect on the human body. One of these cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD), has been under the spotlight for its potential therapeutic effect in the treatment of a wide diversity of disorders. It is not fully understood how CBD oil helps with pain, but it appears to work by regulating the body’s endocannabinoid system. Another cannabinoid, THC, also has significant anti-inflammatory effects – more than 20 times that of aspirin! In Cincinnati, THC cannabis is only legal in medical use, with a recommendation from a doctor who’s state-approved to recommend medical marijuana. Cincinnati-area medical marijuana doctors must be certified through Ohio’s new cannabis program before they can legally recommend marijuana containing THC. But you can buy many CBD products over the counter, so you’re not out of luck if you’re not a candidate for medical marijuana (THC).
Cincinnati Medical Marijuana Options
If you’re interested in trying CBD for pain, you do have a few options. Cannabis oil made from non-psychoactive hemp plants is legal to purchase and use in Ohio. On the other hand, full-spectrum cannabis oil from a marijuana plant containing THC is only available via a doctor’s official marijuana recommendation – a program that began in Ohio in 2019. Cannabinoids have different effects on different people. You may find that oils that do not contain THC will work best for you. If that’s the case, you can try CBD on your own. For those looking to obtain a strain with THC, you’ll need to see a marijuana doctor for an Ohio MMJ card.
On September 8th, 2017, HB 523 went into full effect for Cincinnati medical marijuana, allowing patients to purchase THC-containing CBD oil for pain and other covered medical conditions, provided that you’ve received a recommendation from cannabis doctors that are certified in Ohio. As of late 2021, 36 states have legalized medical marijuana in some form or another, with an additional 18 legalizing recreational use, and many others decriminalizing the illegal possession of THC marijuana. It seems that all over the country the legal system is beginning to recognize that marijuana is not dangerous, and that it has numerous medical benefits, especially for pain.
Medical Marijuana in Ohio: A New Hope for Patients in Pain
With the legalization of medical cannabis in Ohio, patients across the state now have an answer for their pain and other conditions. Medical cannabis has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of numerous conditions including chronic pain, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and more. Blatman Health and Wellness Center is a part of Ohio’s MMJ program. There’s more information available here on our Cincinnati-practice site. Dr. Blatman is one of about 600 doctors in Ohio who have active certificates to recommend marijuana, as of late 2021.
Earlier we mentioned the endocannabinoid system and how CBD and THC can affect it. Let’s explain. The endocannabinoid system is an enigmatic but important bodily system that’s linked to the function of nearly every system in the body. It communicates with nerves in your central and peripheral nervous system, has a role in how your brain communicates with your body, and participates in the regulation of stimuli response. For example, if you bust your knee, you feel pain. The endocannabinoid system has a hand in reducing that pain response. This is why a few hours after hurting your knee, the pain is different and less than at the moment of injury. CBD and THC directly interact with our endocannabinoid system naturally, basically super powering your body’s ability to lessen pain responses. The effect? Holistic, effective pain relief via natural bodily processes. The difference in the safety of medical marijuana for pain vs. the danger of opioid regimens cannot be understated.
Conditions Approved for Medical Marijuana under Ohio’s MMJ Program
Because marijuana remains a Schedule 1 substance illegal under federal law, doctors will not officially prescribe medicinal marijuana, but under Ohio’s new law will instead make “recommendations” for its use to patients suffer from one of the 21 approved conditions. These include:
● AIDS
● Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
● Alzheimer’s disease
● Cancer
● Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
● Crohn’s disease
● Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
● Fibromyalgia
● Glaucoma
● Hepatitis C
● Inflammatory bowel disease
● Multiple sclerosis
● Pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable
● Parkinson’s disease
● Positive status for HIV
● Post-traumatic stress disorder
● Sickle cell anemia
● Spinal cord disease or injury
● Tourette’s syndrome
● Traumatic brain injury
● Ulcerative colitis
Ohio constantly updates and expands its list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana recommendations by a doctor, so it’s worth checking the state’s official MMJ program’s website occasionally for updates.
Getting Legal Medical Marijuana at Ohio’s Official Dispensaries
To purchase medical marijuana at an Ohio dispensary, you must have a medical marijuana card. To qualify for a card, you must have a recommendation from a qualifying physician, and you must register with the state. You must also revisit the doctor who recommended you medical marijuana every 3 months in order for your Ohio MMJ card to remain valid. If you meet at least one of the conditions covered in Ohio for the medicinal use of cannabis, Dr. Blatman is authorized to make such a recommendation. Schedule an appointment for an evaluation. We can also help you find a dispensary to provide the medical marijuana once you’ve gotten your card.