Medical cannabis programs across the United States vary on a range of legislative points. Without any federal allowances in place, states are left to choose their own regulations, leaving patients in varying circumstances depending on where they reside in the country.
The current situation affects medical patients from the moment they register for the program to their everyday dealings as an eventual license holder. One of the earliest, and most apparent, examples a prospective patient may encounter occurs when attempting to qualify for the program itself. While some states allow for a wide range of conditions under its medical program, others remain restrictive, permitting just a few conditions access to medicinal cannabis.
With no set criteria, states are left to choose its qualifying conditions through a variety of processes and viewpoints—creating a range of programs across the nation.
How a State Chooses Its Medical Cannabis Qualifying Conditions
Exactly how a state chooses its list of qualifying conditions is rather uncertain at this time, according to sources who spoke to High Times for this article. What is known is that the current process can leave a person with one condition qualifying for medical cannabis while a person a few miles away in another state may not.
April Hatch, an RN and founder of Cannabis Care Team, didn’t have a clear answer when asked the question. Instead, Hatch delved into the efforts and limitations advocates like herself face when advocating for certain qualifying conditions. “I think medical cannabis advocates do their best to have a thorough list of qualifying conditions, but have limitations based on what they can get legislators and constituents to vote for.”
Hatch, a member of several cannabis and holistic nursing associations, touched on various viewpoints in the space. “Some people only feel like cannabis should be allowed for patients dying from cancer and some believe it could help every condition in some way.”
Teddy Scott, CEO of multi-state operator Ethos Cannabis, didn’t have much certainty other than that the process is primarily a political one.
“Hopefully, the politicians included input from physicians, but it isn’t clear exactly how specific conditions were included or excluded from the qualifying list in any particular state,” elaborated Scott.
A 2019 analysis of qualifying conditions across the U.S. helped shine some light on the issue while raising pain points already established in the space. The University of Michigan and Deloitte Consulting report concluded that chronic pain was the most commonly cited condition among patients in 2016, totaling 67.5% of patients. Additionally, the report found that 85.5% of patient-reported conditions had what was described as substantial or conclusive evidence of cannabis’ medical benefits.
“Creating a nationwide patient registry will facilitate better understanding of use trends and potential effectiveness,” noted the report. The analysis concluded its report with a reiteration of the latter fact, then adding support for the removal of cannabis from its current Schedule 1 status.
“It is also important for state and federal policy makers to seriously consider how to integrate cannabis research and products in an evidence-based way into the healthcare system,” concluded the research.
The Public Health Effect
Medical cannabis patients and applicants alike face an uneven landscape in the current medical marketplace.
The current system leaves medical cannabis patients across America left in a challenging and cumbersome situation, according to Ethos’ Scott. “Without clear direction from the medical community and federal regulations, each state has taken a very independent approach to define their acceptable conditions lists,” stated the CEO.
Scott went on to discuss the importance of federal rules, “If there is some sort of legalization and regulation at a national level, more patients and doctors are provided the option to make their own choices about their own conditions and overall health.”
Some level of uniformity developed out of state reciprocity programs, which allow patients to obtain cannabis while living or visiting another state. The model, too, has its drawbacks, with not only a select few states participating, with several having various laws and agreements that exclude certain state markets.
Cannabis Care Team’s Hatch said patients have told her that they will not travel to states that prohibit them access to their medicine. Even those that permit patients to do so often present their own hurdles, Hatch stated. “Most of my patients are elderly, not tech savvy, on a budget and are unable to complete the online application or even afford the fee that could be $100.”
Hatch added, “Cannabis patients want to travel and visit family and friends like anyone else, and they should be able to without fear of prosecution.”
Various Possible Solutions
A lack of clarity exists, creating a significant room for improvement that sources believe could come in various forms.
Above all else, federal legalization of cannabis provides the most concise form of action, with standard rules and federal list of approved conditions. That said, states and patients alike do not have to wait on the federal government to create change, according to sources.
“There are also certain initiatives introduced in specific states that could be useful to implement on a national scale,” noted Ethos Cannabis’ Scott. The CEO highlighted Pennsylvania, where the implementation of a clinical research program which pairs cannabis companies with medical schools in the state. Scott explained that the partnership between the two groups allows for “Real research to inform the medical community, the government, and the general public on how cannabis can affect health care outcomes.”
Cannabis Care Team’s Hatch focused on state program reform, as well as revising the rights of the patients and medical professionals. “The medical care a patient has access to shouldn’t be decided by the state,” said Hatch, who supports abolishing qualified conditions lists entirely.
Offering up an alternative to the status quo, the company founder suggested, “If there is the concern patients will be at risk for any adverse effects of cannabis then let’s ensure they have access to knowledgeable medical professionals and quality education.”
Very interesting article. Thanks you!
Marijuana prohibitionists will always come up with statements such as marijuana has too many compounds to even bother studying all of them. Along with THC, CBD, CBN,CBG and plus 200+ other cannabinoids which contribute to the effects of Cannabis Sativa on human health.
In contrast to alcohol having only one compound which is ethanol so it’s according to the prohibitionists it’s easier and safer to regulate one compound substance, even though it has detrimental consequences that are much more severe than any cannabis.
Why every restaurant, club and bar is permitted to have alcohol? Does it help with any health condition like Medical marijuana does? Being honest have you ever researched the advantages of medical marijuana? Check this out https://mdberry.com/medical-marijuana-treats-diseases/ . This is combined propaganda of government to keep it illegal because if it gets legal the huge loss to black market appears to be a loss to government and rich idiots sitting there hiding behind the curtains dealing in black and taking all money from innocents. Because by the end of the day need enforce the patient to get it for relief. Legalized a thing that is cheaper way to escape and kept illegal marijuana because oh yes it’s bringing huge amount of money, Thanks to black market.
I have been going through many research articles and blogs and I came across different views every time I read people’s comments. Why the world has so much negativity regarding marijuana. I don’t say it’s not right to have cannabis qualifying conditions but the actual issue us non-acceptance of cannabis in society. I am not supporting the fact that it is okay for the teens and others to use it and act cool being a stoner but atleast it should be legalized for the people who use it for there medical conditions. The medical program in some states are absolutely pathetic. And people don’t even bother with it. They Grow their own istead. There’s a lot of residual hate from the “war on drugs”. The fact that people find weed to be more dangerous than alcohol is indicative of how ignorant people are regarding marijuana. But marijuana cut’s into big pharma’s profits while alcohol doesn’t. Marijuana has largely been a means to lessen the need for pharmaceutical drugs in people suffering from different medical conditions. http://bit.ly/medical-marijuana-treats-diseases .
I am such a big supporter of marijuana. I have this passion ever since I have seen my aunt suffering and dying from pain and her survival to life my magical marijuana. And once she was on it there was this stupid legalization shit. So had to suffer and run to different states and then had to suffer getting yet affording high priced medical marijuana, These all things made me realize how important medical marijuana is for the sufferers. I have seen my closed one suffering and I have observed it is mainly because of lack of research on medical marijuana. https://mdberry.com/medical-marijuana-effectiveness-research/
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