These 5 Medical Conditions Will Get You a Medical Marijuana Card

2018 has been a HUGE year for the cannabis industry. With more states changing their position on the topic over the last twelve months and some pretty groundbreaking moments, we can undoubtedly enter the New Year with something to be thankful for!

There are currently a record number of states allowing for both medicinal and recreational use, with Michigan being the 10th state to allow for cannabis use recreationally just last month! This along with a further 33 states with laws allowing for medical marijuana use for qualifying conditions means that things have never looked brighter.

If you are wondering whether you could benefit from medical marijuana, you’ve come to the right place! Today we are looking at five of the most common conditions that will be sure to get you a medical marijuana card!

What is a Medical Marijuana Card?

Before we jump into the qualifying conditions, let’s first take a quick look at what medical marijuana (MMJ) card is!

A medical marijuana card is a state-issued identification card. Each state holds its own standpoint on the topic of medical marijuana, and qualifying conditions can vary from one state to the next, so it is always important to check the laws of your state before seeking out a medical marijuana card.

If you do qualify for medical marijuana, you will be issued a medical cannabis card, which allows you to get medical cannabis just so long as you have a doctor’s recommendation.

These 5 Conditions Will Get You an MMJ Card…

Let’s get right into it, shall we? Below we have listed five of the most common conditions which qualify for a medical marijuana card in the U.S.

Please be aware that not every condition is listed here, and that not every state has the same laws, so please check your own state’s laws around medical marijuana before getting too excited.

#1 Cancer

Although research is ongoing into the efficacy of cannabis on cancer itself, it has been widely recognized as a positive treatment to help with the side effects of both cancer and the treatments of cancer, such as chemotherapy.

Some of the most common reasons why cancer patients take cannabis are to:

• Reduce Nausea
• Increase Appetite
• Help promote good sleep
• Alleviate pain

It is thought that cannabis strains which possess both CBD and THC, are the best to help alleviate some symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. While not every state allows medical cannabis to treat cancer, more and more states have added it to their list of qualifying conditions, such as the following:

• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan

These are just a sample of the states that allow for medical cannabis as a treatment for cancer; please check the laws of your state to find out if you can get access to medical marijuana.

#2 Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common eye condition which affects around three million Americans. Glaucoma occurs when there is a build up of intraocular pressure causing damage if left untreated. Glaucoma can cause permanent blindness in some cases, but also has a host of other symptoms, which can be seen below:

• Pain behind the eyes
• Sudden loss of vision or disturbed vision
• Blurred vision
• Red eyes
• Nausea
• Vomiting

When consumed sublingually rather than through smoking, research has shown that cannabis can actually reduce intraocular eye pressure significantly. This has resulted in a number of states allowing for Glaucoma to qualify as a condition for medical marijuana.

#3 Epilepsy

Perhaps the most commonly approved condition when it comes to medical marijuana, epilepsy is greatly known to benefit from medical marijuana and is a qualifying condition in most states.

As recently as this year we have seen the first-ever FDA approved cannabis-based treatment, which happens to be for a specific type of epilepsy found in children. However, whole cannabis has been shown to have the following benefits for those who have epilepsy:

• Significantly reduces seizures (by as much as 42%)
• Reduce anxiety

#4 Alzheimer’s

Cannabis is a proven antioxidant, which has been shown to help with a number of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s, which is a form of dementia and is degenerative.

Alzheimer’s can impact everything from memory to the ability to perform everyday activities and can be incredibly hard to live with.

Cannabis has been shown to have the ability to restore some quality of life in sufferers of Alzheimer’s, helping to improve cognitive thoughts and reduce physical symptoms such as mobility issues and muscle spasticity.

Many states have approved Alzheimer’s as a qualifying condition, along with many other common degenerative diseases.

#5 Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a condition, which affects the intestines, causing inflammation, which can lead to ulcers, and debilitating side effects. Some of the symptoms of Crohn’s can be seen below:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Fever
• Bloody stools
• Appetite loss
• Weight loss
• Pain
• Bloating

Cannabis has been widely recognised to reduce inflammation, allowing it to be useful for multiple conditions as well as Crohn’s itself. Using cannabis where it is a qualifying condition can help reduce pain and inflammation and allow for a more regular daily life.

Have You Got Your MMJ Card Yet?

If you are reading this and realize you may qualify for medical marijuana, then what are you waiting for? The most effective way to find out is to check your state’s laws around medical cannabis and go from there.

We haven’t discussed every qualifying condition today, so let us know if you’d like a part two down in the comments!