In the recent announcement, the health department stated that studies have reported that those suffering from these ailments can benefit from using medical marijuana to treat their symptoms.
Minnesota health officials are expanding the list of conditions that qualify for the state's medical cannabis program.
The Minnesota Department of Health announced that starting in August, people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can receive medical cannabis — with certification from a healthcare provider.
According to Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Adding the updated qualifying conditions will allow patients more therapy options for debilitating diseases.
In the recent announcement, the health department stated that studies have reported that those suffering from these ailments can benefit from using medical marijuana to treat their symptoms.
Certified patients with those conditions can enroll in the medical cannabis program on July 1, 2023, and receive medical cannabis on Aug. 1.
The additions were announced Wednesday after petitions to add the conditions went through a public comment period and passed a review panel. They'll bring the list of approved qualifying conditions to nineteen — up from nine when Minnesota's medical cannabis program began in 2015.
The Health Department rejected two other petitions this year to add gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying, and opioid use disorder to the list.
State health officials said research has shown that cannabis can make gastroparesis worse. They also mentioned they were reluctant to recommend against approving opioid use disorder as a qualifying medical condition due to a lack of evidence for its effectiveness and the availability of FDA-approved medications for treatment.
