Amendment 2 (2017) allows for expanded medical cannabis program, here in Florida. Before this amendment was put into place the Compassionate Use Act (2014) only allowed for patients suffering from cancer or epilepsy to access low-THC cannabis. The program grew under the Right To Try Act (2016) which permitted full strength cannabis to patients with a terminal illness.
Since Amendment 2 has been put into place the “90 day wait” has been removed, establishing operational guidelines to meet the requirements of Amendment 2. This Amendment also expanded the list of eligible medical conditions, including “an all other deliberating” category, giving doctors discretion on certifying patients with conditions that aren’t explicitly listed.
Qualifying Condition Per Amendment 2:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- HIV+
- AIDS
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Medical conditions of the same kind or class or comparable to those listed above
- Terminal Illness
- Chronic nonmalignant pain
What are medical conditions of the same kind or class?
· This category allows doctors to certify patients who have symptoms or medical conditions that are both debilitating and similar in nature to the medical conditions that are explicitly named in the law.
What does it mean for a condition to be “debilitating”?
· For a physical or mental health conditions to be debilitating it must interfere with or limit the patient’s life activities. So, what does this look like?
o Does the patient miss work or other commitments due to symptoms?
o Does the condition interfere with their ability to sustain relationships, get around/drive/walk, perform manual tasks, concentrate, think, or communicate? Does the patient require medications or other treatments for their symptoms?
o If the answer is Yes to any of these questions, it is likely the condition qualifies as debilitating.
What debilitating conditions qualify as being ‘of the same kind or class as or comparable to’ the named qualifying conditions?
Although there is no comprehensive list of conditions that may qualify, we can specify the most common qualifying classes and symptoms. If the condition you would like to treat with medical cannabis shares any of the below, it may qualify.
Debilitating conditions of the following classes:
o Autoimmune
o Gastrointestinal
o Immunodeficiency
o Neurological & Neurodegenerative
o Psychological
o Terminal
Chronic (long lasting and/or recurring) & debilitating symptoms:
o Anxiety
o Chronic Pain
o Depression, Irritability, and/or Mood swings
o Difficulty sleeping
o Fatigue
o Muscle spasms & stiffness
o Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, and other GI upsets
o Poor appetite
Sample “other” conditions:
o Anorexia
o Arthritis
o Bipolar
o Cachexia
o Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
o Diabetes
o Endometriosis/PMS
o Fibromyalgia
o Hepatitis C
o IBS
o Insomnia/Sleep disorders
o Lyme disease
o Migraines
o OCD
o Rheumatoid Arthritis
o Sickle cell anemia
o Ulcerative colitis
If you think you or a loved one may qualify, contact Leaf Strong
(941) 218-6839 to book a medical marijuana consultation today!!!