1. Cancer & Terminal Illness: Cancer can cause severe pain, nausea, and appetite loss. Cannabis has been shown to ease these symptoms, improve appetite, and enhance quality of life, especially for patients with less than a year to live. As of 2022, there are an estimated 18.1 million cancer survivors in the U.S. (American Cancer Society).

2. Chronic & Intractable Pain: Persistent pain unresponsive to conventional treatments. Cannabis may reduce inflammation and provide relief without the risks associated with opioids. Chronic pain affects approximately 20.4% of U.S. adults, equating to about 50 million people (Centers For Disease Control).

3. Gastrointestinal Conditions: Disorders like Crohn's disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease cause pain, nausea, and digestive issues. Cannabis may reduce inflammation and improve appetite. Around 3 million U.S. adults are diagnosed with IBD (Centers For Disease Control).

4. Glaucoma: Increased eye pressure can damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. Cannabis may lower intraocular pressure temporarily, helping manage symptoms. Over 3 million Americans have glaucoma (American Academy of Ophthalmology).

5. HIV/AIDS: This condition weakens the immune system and causes weight loss and chronic pain. Cannabis can help with nausea, appetite loss, and pain relief. Approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV (Centers For Disease Control)

6. Neurodegenerative Diseases: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) leads to muscle weakness and loss of motor control, while Autism Spectrum Disorder can involve sensory issues and anxiety. Cannabis may relieve muscle spasms and help emotional regulation. ALS affects approximately 5,000 new individuals in the U.S. annually, and about 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism (ALS Association, Centers For Disease Control).

7. Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Interrupted breathing during sleep causes fatigue and health risks. Cannabis may promote deeper sleep and reduce airway inflammation. Sleep apnea affects about 25 million U.S. adults (American Sleep Apnea Association).

8. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): PTSD leads to anxiety, flashbacks, and insomnia; OCD involves obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Cannabis may promote relaxation and help regulate mood. Around 3.6% of U.S. adults experience PTSD, and about 1.2% are affected by OCD annually (National Institute of Mental Health).

9. Seizure Disorders: Epilepsy and other seizure disorders involve uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Cannabis, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), may reduce seizure frequency and severity. About 1.2% of the U.S. population, or 3.4 million people, have active epilepsy (Centers For Disease Control).

10. Sickle Cell Disease: This genetic disorder affects red blood cells, causing severe pain and fatigue. Cannabis may help alleviate inflammation and pain. Approximately 100,000 Americans are affected by sickle cell disease (Centers For Disease Control).

For businesses in the medical marijuana space, it's crucial to stay informed about the conditions approved for treatment and the regulatory processes that impact patients. I recommend assessing your services and offerings in light of these medical needs, implementing a streamlined process, and tracking your progress over the next 90 days. If your strategies and goals feel misaligned, consider reaching out.