State Health Department Approves Four More Conditions for Medical Cannabis Treatment
New Conditions Added to List of Approved Diseases
The Illinois Department of Public Health has approved four new medical conditions for treatment with medical cannabis: endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and female orgasmic disorder. This is the first expansion of the list since 2019, bringing the total number of approved conditions to 56.
Approval Process
The approval process involves a review by the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board and state health department staff. Dr. Sameer Vohra, the department’s director, gives the final OK. The review process is thorough, considering expert opinion and the most up-to-date evidence to make decisions that best serve Illinois residents.
Effective Immediately
The addition of the new conditions is effective immediately, and providers are now able to prescribe medical cannabis to their patients affected by these diseases.
Benefits of Medical Cannabis
Studies have found that medical cannabis can help manage the chronic pain associated with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts. Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus, leading to severe pain, scarring, and infertility. Ovarian cysts are either solid or fluid-filled pockets that grow on or within an ovary, causing severe pain. Uterine fibroids are common benign growths on the uterus that can cause chronic pelvic pain.
Female Orgasmic Disorder
The health department also approved female orgasmic disorder, a condition in which a woman has trouble reaching an orgasm. Medical cannabis can help a female patient who struggles to orgasm.
Other Approved Conditions
The four new conditions join a list of other diseases that the state says can be treated with medical cannabis, including autism, agitation from Alzheimer’s disease, migraines, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic injuries to the spinal cord or brain.
Conclusion
The addition of these new conditions to the list of approved diseases demonstrates the state’s commitment to providing relief to Illinois residents suffering from a range of debilitating medical conditions. Medical cannabis has been shown to offer an effective means of relief, and the state’s approval process ensures that only the most effective and safe treatments are available to patients.
FAQs
Q: What are the new conditions approved for medical cannabis treatment?
A: The new conditions approved for medical cannabis treatment are endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and female orgasmic disorder.
Q: What is the approval process for new conditions?
A: The approval process involves a review by the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board and state health department staff, with the final OK given by Dr. Sameer Vohra, the department’s director.
Q: When can providers prescribe medical cannabis for these new conditions?
A: Providers can prescribe medical cannabis for these new conditions immediately, as the addition of the new conditions is effective immediately.
