On May 12, the Medical Marijuana Committee of the State Medical Board of Ohio voted not to recommend medical conditions autism or autism spectrum disorders for treatment with medical marijuana.
The committee cited expert witnesses from Nationwide Children’s and Cincinnati Children’s who stated they were deeply concerned about approving medical marijuana as a treatment for autism. They noted the lack of rigorous evidence; concerns about worsening psychiatric conditions; and long term problems with IQ, concentration, and obesity. Expert witnesses stated that approval without more evidence and study would be negligent and unethical. The committee voted unanimously not to approve.
The committee did vote to recommend adding Huntington’s disease, terminal illnesss, and spasticity as qualifying conditions under the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. In addition to autism, the panel rejected petitions to add panic disorder with agoraphobia, restless leg syndrome, and muscle spasms as qualifying conditions.