Columbus, OH — As more Ohio residents are showing interest in applying for Ohio medical cannabis cards, the State Medical Board of Ohio is revisiting which ailments should qualify for medical marijuana use. In a recent meeting, the board rendered its decision on three conditions proposed by the Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association (OMCIA).

Of the conditions presented, which included Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder, only IBS earned the board’s nod. This decision has increased the number of qualifying conditions in the state to 26.

However, not all recommendations from the OMCIA were met with approval. The board chose not to list both OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder as qualifying conditions. Notably, this marked the fourth time that a request to include autism was declined, even though the condition is recognized in 16 states and Puerto Rico for medical cannabis use.

Delving into the board’s historical decisions reveals a stringent approval process. By the end of 2022, the board had taken in 10 petitions for new conditions. However, seven of these did not meet the stipulated requirements and were consequently rejected. Since its inception in 2016, the board has only sanctioned four such petitions.

Ohio’s existing list of qualifying conditions is extensive, covering a range of ailments from Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, glaucoma, and Parkinson’s disease to post-traumatic stress disorder, ulcerative colitis, and more. As debates and discussions continue, it becomes ever more apparent how crucial these determinations are. They not only shape the landscape of medical cannabis in the state but also directly impact the health and well-being of countless Ohioans.