Ohio Adds IBS to Medical Cannabis Program; Rejects OCD, Autism

The Ohio State Medical Board last week added irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as a qualifying condition to the state’s medical cannabis program, the Ohio Capital Journal reports. The panel, however, rejected the addition of obsessive-compulsive syndrome (OCD) and autism spectrum disorder as qualifying conditions. 

In all, there are now 26 total conditions for which Ohio cannabis patients can access medical cannabis.  

Charlie Trefny, the Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association’s director of government affairs, told the Journal that the organization was “disappointed” that the board did not approve OCD or autism spectrum disorder to the list.  

It marks the fourth time the Medical Board has rejected adding autism to the state’s medical cannabis program.  

A bill in the state Senate would add the condition, along with arthritis, migraines, spasticity or chronic muscle spasms, hospice care or terminal illness, and opioid use disorder to the list of qualifying conditions. That measure was introduced in January but has not been moved out of the chamber’s General Government Committee. The bill would allow medical cannabis products sold in the state to include pills, capsules and suppositories, oral pouches, oral strips, oral or topical sprays, salves, lotions, or similar items, and inhalers. 

Earlier this month, the Minnesota Department of Health added IBS and OCD to its list of qualifying conditions for accessing the state medical cannabis program.