{"id":26065,"date":"2023-02-21T08:00:41","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T13:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=26065"},"modified":"2026-03-27T08:01:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T12:01:59","slug":"states-that-restrict-mmj-access-are-interfering-with-patients-rights-study-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/states-that-restrict-mmj-access-are-interfering-with-patients-rights-study-shows\/","title":{"rendered":"States That Restrict MMJ Access Are Interfering With Patients&#8217; Rights, Study Shows"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/are-medical-and-recreational-marijuana-programs-different\/\">medicinal and recreational cannabis<\/a> legalization continues to sweep across the United States, a recent study paints a concerning portrait of many states denying or restricting medical marijuana (MMJ) access.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite notable advances in MMJ research over the last decade, scientists have found that some states&#8217; restrictions on qualifying conditions prevent millions of patients from getting the treatments they need\u2014robbing them of potential relief offered by cannabinoid therapies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To explore this issue further, let&#8217;s look at the key findings of this groundbreaking new research.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How Do MMJ Restrictions Affect Patients and Doctors?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veriheal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Nugg MD connects MMJ patients to physicians via telemedicine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsdirect.com\/news\/nuggmd-releases-landmark-210k-record-patient-study-on-medical-cannabis-trends-945995756\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their newly unleashed powerful study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests the need for greater access to cannabis-based medical treatments and more robust protection of healthcare professionals exploring these options with their patients. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/newsdirect.com\/news\/nuggmd-releases-landmark-210k-record-patient-study-on-medical-cannabis-trends-945995756\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s what the study found<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">States with restrictive qualifying conditions lists are &#8220;deterring patients from seeking the medication they need.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restricting qualifying conditions also results in limited data collection, hindering the collective understanding of medical cannabis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many patients take MMJ for more reasons than one.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><br \/>\nWhy Do MMJ Patients Use Cannabis?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nugg MD&#8217;s research explored the motivations behind people&#8217;s use of medical cannabis, uncovering fascinating insights about why this treatment is increasingly sought-after.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They found that most patients apply for an MMJ card to alleviate the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/chronic-pain\/\">Chronic pain<\/a> (26%)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/anxiety\/\">Anxiety<\/a> (19%)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/ptsd\/\">Post-traumatic stress<\/a> (12%)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlisted conditions (9%)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chronic stress (8%)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/insomnia\/\">Insomnia<\/a> (8%)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/headaches\/\">Chronic headaches<\/a> (8%)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/arthritis\/\">Arthritis<\/a> (3%)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/muscle-spasms\/\">Muscle spasms<\/a> (3%)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other qualifying conditions (2%)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most medical marijuana patients utilize it to treat one of their state&#8217;s listed conditions, a select few are tapping into its potential for treating unlisted ailments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps there&#8217;s more complexity behind their decision-making process than meets the eye\u2014especially since they likely have to select different conditions depending on what is legally available in their state.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To understand this concept, imagine a cannabis-friendly state makes provisions for eight qualifying conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Epilepsy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Autoimmune disorders<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PTSD<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arthritis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritable bowel disorders<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a more restrictive state only makes provisions for five:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Epilepsy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arthritis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The problem is, in the more restrictive states, if patients require medical marijuana for autoimmune disorders or PTSD, they have no choice but to present it as &#8220;other conditions&#8221;\u2014like anxiety, which anyone can experience at any time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nugg MD&#8217;s report suggests there is more to unpack when analyzing healthcare disparities related to MMJ access. Although respondents frequently have to choose &#8220;other conditions&#8221; to meet MMJ requirements, it&#8217;s an unfortunate reality for millions due to restrictive laws and policies, further skewing data towards more universally accepted health issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Opioid Abuse and Drug Overdose Deaths Are Higher in States With Restrictive MMJ Policies<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite ongoing political debates about the limitations of medical marijuana programs, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6827842\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2019 study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> published in the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews provided further evidence of how MMJ-restrictive states inadvertently impact their patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the study, individuals living in states where medical cannabis is difficult to access are more likely to resort to prescription drugs to treat chronic pain or other debilitating conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This suggests that not only may MMJ-restrictive states be failing their citizens by denying access to a proven therapy option, but they may also be unknowingly fostering habits that could increase the risks associated with the long-term use of potentially deadly pharmaceutical medications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What This Study Says About the Future of MMJ<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the immense potential of cannabis, its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/an-inside-look-at-the-harsh-restrictions-for-cannabis-research-in-the-us\/\">status as a Schedule I drug<\/a> has been an obstacle in furthering research on the plant. In addition to decades-old stigmas attached to it and its users, progress has been stifled by legal factors that are gradually changing through advocacy and patient support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, Nugg MD&#8217;s data shows just how vital MMJ access has become in modern society&#8217;s health landscape. However, this study speaks to another dire need for the future: better data collection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accurate cannabis data has a unique significance, specifically, when it comes to increasing the number of qualifying conditions nationwide and expanding access\u2013something that can benefit everyone, from patients, practitioners, and policymakers alike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Final Takeaway<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In states that restrict medical cannabis access, patients and doctors are both negatively affected in a number of ways. The study mentioned above makes it clear that restrictive MMJ policies may be exacerbating the problems of opioid abuse and drug overdose deaths in the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3887317\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">world moves towards a more accepting view of plant-based medicine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it&#8217;s becoming increasingly difficult for lawmakers to justify keeping restrictions in place. Lawmakers should seize this opportunity to make access to MMJ easier and remove the stigma unfairly cast on those seeking relief from their ailments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe treatment based on the information provided. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As medicinal and recreational cannabis legalization continues to sweep across the United States, a recent study paints a concerning portrait of many states denying or restricting medical marijuana (MMJ) access.\u00a0 Despite notable advances in MMJ research over the last decade, scientists have found that some states&#8217; restrictions on qualifying conditions prevent millions of patients from&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":26306,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[255,259],"tags":[12837,3099,13712,13307],"class_list":["post-26065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-research","tag-alternative-medicine","tag-cannabis-access","tag-mmj-access","tag-state-cannabis-programs"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.1 (Yoast SEO v26.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>MMJ Access Restrictions Impact Patient Rights Study<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A new study found that states with limited MMJ access prevent patients from accessing a safe, effective alternative to prescription drugs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/states-that-restrict-mmj-access-are-interfering-with-patients-rights-study-shows\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"States That Restrict MMJ Access Are Interfering With Patients&#039; 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