Medical Cannabis for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Premature and Potentially Harmful

Abstract

In the United States, currently 29 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws that allow for the medical use of cannabis. The list of conditions that qualify a patient for the use of medical cannabis varies from state to state. Recently, the medical cannabis citizens' review panel at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) added obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis, making Minnesota the first state to approve the use of cannabis for OSA. This decision followed a petition that rightly identified OSA as a public health concern associated with sleepiness and substantial cardiovascular consequences. 1 Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program petition to add a medically qualifying condition. http://www.health.state.mn.us/topics/cannabis/rulemaking/petitionOSA.pdfDate accessed: March 20, 2018 Google Scholar The petition referenced continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as the primary treatment option for OSA and proceeded to list alternative therapeutic modalities including medications, acupuncture, upper airway stimulation, and surgeries. The “brief of support” issued by the MDH in November 2017 allows patients certified as having OSA to enroll in the medical cannabis program from July 1, 2018, and obtain medical cannabis beginning August 1, 2018. Comment on Medical Cannabis for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Premature and Potentially HarmfulMayo Clinic ProceedingsVol. 93Issue 11PreviewWe recently read with interest “Medical cannabis for obstructive sleep apnea: premature and potentially harmful” by Kolla et al1 competently summarizing the current evidence for the recent approval of obstructive sleep apnea as a certifying condition for the use of medical cannabis in the state of Minnesota. We share the authors’ doubt to the scientific validity of this recent action. It would be helpful for the readers of Mayo Clinic Proceedings to know additional background relating to the evolving medical and legislative landscape of medical cannabis. Full-Text PDF