Medical marijuana for chronic pain in Ohio

Ohio’s law covers pain that is either chronic and severe, or intractable. Your physician assesses your pain, how long you’ve had it and what you’ve tried.

The National Academies found substantial evidence that cannabis is effective for chronic pain in adults.

NIH notes the benefit in studies was small: in one review, 29% of people taking cannabinoids had at least 30% less pain, compared with 26% taking a placebo, and side effects were more common.

If you take opioids or benzodiazepines, your physician will check Ohio’s prescription monitoring report and talk with you about interactions.

• Notes describing your pain, its cause and how long you’ve had it
• Imaging or test results
• Treatments you’ve tried and current medicines

If another doctor diagnosed you, your physician can confirm it from your records. How to get your records.

• Side effects can include dizziness, sleepiness, and dizziness on standing, which raises the risk of falls in older adults.
• Cannabis raises the risk of motor vehicle crashes. Never drive while impaired.
• Frequent use is linked to cannabis use disorder, and to psychosis in people predisposed to it.
• Smoking cannabis during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight.
• Cannabis can interact with other medicines. Your physician reviews your medicines before recommending.

Your physician explains the risks and benefits for you before recommending, as Ohio requires.