Ever since medical marijuana became law in Pennsylvania, people have been wondering when the state would consider adding additional conditions to the list of those qualified for treatment under medical cannabis, in addition to the 21 current chronic illnesses which the drug treats. The Pennsylvania State Medical Marijuana Advisory Board is now in the process of accepting new, research-based petitions as to conditions that should qualify for medical marijuana use. They will discuss and vote on these petitions early next year, on February 1, 2019.

What Could Marijuana Treat?

The potential medical applications of marijuana use are extensive, and the drug has been used illicitly for years to treat different illnesses such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, and more. Many individuals practice self-medication with marijuana as a way to cope with feelings of anxiety and depression. In the short term, self-reported levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses are decreased, but not enough studies have been completed to give any conclusive evidence as to the efficacy of medical marijuana to treat these illnesses in the long term. Despite not knowing the implications of long-term efficacy, it’s well known that medical marijuana is able to assist people in the short term. When patients come to doctors or clinics asking to be helped for a condition like this, it can become frustrating for doctors to turn them away, as they instinctively want to help patients, but in these cases, are unable to do so.

What We’d Like to See Added to the List

Currently, because of the limited list of conditions, most prescriptions are going to patients who live with chronic pain or post-traumatic stress disorder. We love being able to help these patients, and we want to be able to help more. At Nature’s Way Medicine, we believe that adding anxiety, depression, ADHD and physical illnesses such as migraines and Lyme disease to the approved list could help Pennsylvanians dramatically improve their quality of life.

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Here at Nature’s Way Medicine, we believe that the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board should hear your voice and understand the vast applicability the marijuana has for treatment of a range of illnesses. We’ve only just scraped the surface, here in the Keystone State, and we’d love to start treating more people just like you. If you believe that you qualify for a medical cannabis card and would like to meet for a consultation, please book it online.]]>