Marijuana as an alternative medicine is becoming increasingly popular every day across the United States. Although many patients in Ohio would like to implement their medical marijuana treatment plan full-time, it isn’t always that simple.
Marijuana can be a costly medicine, although it’s usually much cheaper when compared to the alternative: opioid drug plans. Nevertheless, without insurance coverage, it can be very difficult for patients to consistently purchase marijuana for medicine.
This is especially the case for people who have severely painful symptoms and thus require much higher doses of cannabis to effectively treat their conditions and pain.
Why Isn’t Marijuana Covered?
Although 38 states have already decriminalized medical marijuana, the federal government still asserts that cannabis has no medicinal value at all. Interesting.
Since marijuana is still classified as a schedule I drug by our government, similar to heroin, cocaine, LSD, and ecstasy, insurance companies are not allowed to cover it as a medication. As long as the government and DEA continues to ignore the countless advantages of marijuana as medicine, insurance companies will not offer coverage for it.
Physicians cannot “prescribe'' marijuana to a patient either, since it is still federally prohibited. Instead, they have to make medical recommendations in order for patients to add marijuana to their treatment plan.
Limited Research
Although marijuana has been utilized in many different ways for centuries, there is not a significant amount of research on its medicinal benefits yet.
The DEA will need to approve of the drug for medicinal use in order for it to be covered by insurance companies, and that requires a great deal of research and evidence. The DEA usually likes to see information and research on possible side effects, adverse reactions, and more.
It is challenging to conduct research studies on cannabis since there are still many legal barriers or implications to consider.
Even if the DEA approves marijuana as medicine, there is still no guarantee that insurance companies will add it to plans as a covered benefit. We just have to continue to hope for the best.
Marijuana Judgement & Bias
The amount of people who have sworn by the benefits of cannabis is countless. Cannabis users are generally very happy with their medicine, and they are more than willing to scream it from the rooftops, despite the controversial nature of the subject.
In some chronic pain situations, cannabis can help give a person their life back. For the elderly, being unable to do certain things with friends, kids, and grandchildren due to mobility issues can really take the enjoyment out of life. Medical marijuana can bring back that activity and help you get back to the life you enjoy.
A stressed or anxious person who struggles with eating solid meals can also benefit from cannabis. If you're a person who cannot fall or stay asleep, marijuana has you covered!
It would be wrong to diminish cannabis users’ positive experiences with the increasingly popular drug, however, for some reason the health industry and Big Pharma still ignore the many life-changing advantages that marijuana offers.
Most giant medical corporations are biased and refuse to accept that cannabis has any perks at all, because how would they make money if marijuana were to replace their highly-addictive opiates as medicine?
Marijuana has had stigma attached to it for decades, most of which is due to the many misconceptions about people who smoke marijuana. Although the level of social stigma associated with marijuana has definitely decreased over time, it is still apparent.
Insurance Carriers Cover Some Cannabinoid-Based Medicines
There are only a few cannabinoid-based medications that the FDA has approved and are available for prescription-use only.
Epidiolex, for example, is a CBD medication that is prescribed to individuals with seizure disorders, such as epilepsy.
Medical Marijuana in Ohio
If you have one of Ohio’s many qualifying conditions, it’s worth considering adding medical marijuana to your treatment plan.
If you think marijuana may be right for you, now is the best time to get started! Medical dispensaries are home to many great, safe products for natural relief.
Better yet, schedule an appointment with one of our physicians today to see if you qualify!
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
Here at Ohio Marijuana Card, our goal is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at (866) 457-5559, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Ohio Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Ohio.
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