Medical Cannabis and Depression

1. We all get down every-now-and-then, because of tragedy, loss, or major life events, but clinical depression is different. Pervasive, overwhelming, and broadly comprehensive, it’s a down-phase that doesn’t bounce back. Which leaves many to question, can I get medical marijuana for depression. Cannabis is an obvious candidate to help with depression symptoms. Read more to find out why.

The Ohio Medical board is considering adding 5 new conditions to those that qualify for treatment with medical marijuana in Ohio, including Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety,  Autism, and Opioid Use Disorder. We’re delving more deeply into each one to keep Ohio Medical Marijuana Card holders and potential patients informed on access, conditions and treatment options for health, relief and empowerment.

(Edit 6/14/19: Ohio’s 12-member medical board was set to make a final vote June 12, however the voting has been postponed as the board’s two new members haven’t had time to read up on the issues. The president of the board said there is “no rush” on approving new conditions and no official date has been set.)

We all get down every-now-and-then, because of tragedy, loss, or major life events, but clinical depression is different. Pervasive, overwhelming, and broadly comprehensive, it’s an extended down-phase that just doesn’t bounce back. Naturally, studies show medical marijuana can help.

Depression is a pronounced, persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that lasts longer than two weeks and is marked by a significant change in the previous functioning. The most prominent symptoms are sadness and loss of interest, but there’s also fatigue, appetite changes, excessive guilt, impaired performance, and feelings of worthlessness.

Depression has many causes that show up in myriad ways and remains the leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite the devastating prevalence of this common mood disorder, experts still don’t have all the answers about causes or treatment, but research shows medical marijuana can help.

So, can I get medical marijuana for depression? Strongly proven to treat anxiety, cannabis is a logical step for depression. Widely correlated with broad overlap, they precede each other in most cases. In fact, HuffPost reported that:

“neuroscientists from the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions found that endocannabinoids — chemical compounds in the brain that activate the same receptors as THC, an active compound in marijuana — may be helpful in treating depression that results from chronic stress.”

Forbes reported on a University of Washington study that collected treatment information using an app. Evidence that cannabis treats depression was strong, increasing in efficacy by strain:

​“An analysis of the strains the app users reported smoking showed a few different outcomes depending on the percentages of THC and CBD. For depression, strains higher in CBD and lower in THC produced the largest reduction in symptoms. For anxiety, CBD and THC percentages seemed to make little difference in the results. For stress, users reported significant symptom reduction when using strains high in both CBD and THC.
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The dosage analysis showed that depression symptoms decreased with high CBD strains after just one puff (and more puffs didn’t decrease symptoms beyond that point). For anxiety, symptoms decreased after two puffs of any strain regardless of CBD and THC content (symptoms didn’t decrease further after two puffs), and for stress, the largest symptom reduction came after 10 or more puffs of strains high in THC and CBD.”

We know cannabis is known to promote sharing and social interaction; as big a factor as any in treating this mysterious disorder, which commonly co-exists with social isolation.

Understandably, cannabis helps us when feeling down. That it helps depression is by no means a stretch. Despite all this, depression still doesn’t qualify for medical marijuana treatment in Ohio.

Ohio’s 12-member medical board was set to make a final vote on adding new the new conditions on June 12th, however the vote was postponed as the board’s two new members haven’t had time to read up on the issues. The president of the board said there is “no rush” on approving new conditions and no official date has been set.

​Check back here, with us for updates on, news, science, and treatment, as we support you on your healthcare journey.

If you are an Ohioan suffering from one of these 21 medical conditions you may be eligible to obtain your own Ohio Medical Marijuana Card to treat your ailment with medical marijuana, which includes both THC and CBD products.

​​Click here to learn more about what My Marijuana Card’s state-certified Ohio marijuana doctors can do for you, or give us a call at (419-237-7119) and our friendly patient coordinators will set an appointment and walk you through the process of receiving your own Ohio Medical Marijuana card. Get your Ohio marijuana card today online! Get your Michigan marijuana card today online!