ALS qualifies for medical cannabis use

Hawaii’s Department of Health has added Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use based on analysis of testimony, public hearing, and peer-reviewed scientific evidence.

Of the 29 states and U.S. jurisdictions that permit medical cannabis, 19 include ALS as a qualifying health condition.

Although little evidence supported cannabis for ALS treatment, the department determined it may benefit diagnosed patients that received comprehensive assessment by a physician or advance practice registered nurse and a risk-benefit discussion.

The other condition submitted for review, general anxiety disorder, was declined due to inconclusive medical evidence that cannabis has beneficial use in treatment or alleviation.