The Minnesota Department of Health says those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder can now enroll in the state’s medical cannabis program. The department originally announced the plans to add the two conditions last November.
This means patients certified by a participating health care practitioner as having these conditions can buy medical cannabis at a dispensary starting Aug. 1.
“As we continue to learn more about the benefits of medical cannabis, it’s important that we add this therapy option as a potential treatment to relieve conditions that can be debilitating,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham.
IBS is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and irregular bowel movements. It can result in diarrhea, constipation, both diarrhea and constipation, or bloating.
OCD is characterized by recurring, intrusive thoughts that often cause significant emotional distress and anxiety. This can lead to behaviors that the affected person feels compelled to perform to reduce that distress.
Research has shown that people who suffer from these conditions can see benefits from using medical cannabis to treat their symptoms.
The state's medical cannabis program now has 19 qualifying medical conditions.
Qualifying conditions
Alzheimer's disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Autism spectrum disorder (must meet DSM-5)
Cancer*
Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder
Chronic pain
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
Intractable pain
Irritable bowel syndrome (effective Aug. 1, 2023)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (effective Aug. 1, 2023)
Obstructive sleep apnea
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Sickle cell disease
Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than one year*
Tourette syndrome
*If your illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain; nausea or severe vomiting; or cachexia or severe wasting.