Can You Get a Medical Card for Depression in Ohio in 2024?

Medical marijuana is legal in Ohio for specific health conditions. However, securing medical marijuana for depression can be complicated because it is not on the official list of qualifying conditions. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Here’s what you should know about getting a medical marijuana card for depression in Ohio.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Ohio

Ohio’s House Bill 523 grants legal access to medical marijuana with a few stipulations. One stipulation is that cardholders must be Ohio residents. Another is that individuals can only apply for a medical marijuana card after getting a medical exam and an official recommendation from a qualified physician. The recommending physician must be licensed to practice in Ohio and certified by the Ohio Medical Board to make medical marijuana recommendations.

Physicians in Ohio may only make recommendations for medical marijuana in cases where an individual has been diagnosed with a qualifying condition. These are the conditions that could qualify you for a medical marijuana card in Ohio:

• AIDS
• Cachexia, also known as “wasting syndrome”
• Cancer
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and other inflammatory bowel conditions
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Degenerative diseases, such as Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s
• Multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Sickle cell anemia
• Spasticity, whether from MS or another condition
• Tourette’s syndrome

In addition to these conditions, Ohio residents may also qualify for a medical marijuana card if they have experienced traumatic injuries to the spinal cord or the brain. Under House Bill 523, the State Medical Board of Ohio will continuously update the list with more qualifying diseases and health conditions.

So Can You Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Depression in Ohio in 2024?

The state of Ohio does not recognize clinical depression as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, which means Ohio residents cannot get a medical marijuana card for depression.

However, you may be eligible if your depression stems from any of the qualifying conditions on the list. Many of these qualifying conditions can cause symptoms of depression, such as:

• Cancer
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Chronic pain
• Multiple sclerosis

This means that if you have cancer and it’s causing your depression, you may be able to secure a recommendation from a qualified physician. The medical marijuana will be prescribed for treating the cancer and not the depression.

The Effects of Cannabis on Depression

The findings on the effects of cannabis on depression are still inconclusive. However, some studies suggest that marijuana could trigger the onset of depression, while others indicate that depression may lead to marijuana use.

Other preclinical evidence suggests that marijuana can induce changes in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of cellular receptors known as endocannabinoids, which could potentially improve depression symptoms in some individuals. The ECS plays an important role in regulating emotions, sleep, body temperature, and more.

The body’s endocannabinoids are similar in structure and function to the cannabinoids found in marijuana, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana that’s responsible for the “high” you get when you smoke. When you ingest marijuana, THC and other cannabinoids bind to the endocannabinoids in your body, causing changes to the body’s signals that help regulate different functions. The nature of these changes varies depending on the specific cannabinoid used.

For example, THC binds to the CB1 receptors in the brain. THC is known as a CB1 agonist, which means it activates CB1 receptors and increases the rate at which they send signals to the central nervous system. In one animal study, scientists observed that CB1 agonists like THC have anti-depressant effects at low doses, suggesting that THC could be a viable treatment for depression. However, high doses of CB1 agonists could worsen depression symptoms, according to the same study.

THC is also known for its mood-altering properties that may help people seeking relief from depression. This cannabinoid can have a euphoric effect on some individuals, elevating their mood and reducing feelings of sadness or hopelessness. As such, marijuana may be able to alleviate symptoms of depression, especially when dosing is regulated. Bear in mind, though, that there is no standard dosing recommendation for treating depression symptoms. More research is required to understand how different consumption methods affect depression.

Schedule an Appointment with a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Ohio Today!

At Green Health Docs, we’re here answer your questions and help you obtain an Ohio medical marijuana card. Find a doctor near you and make an appointment today to get started.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.