The Ohio Medical Marijuana Board has decided not to advance a petition to add Female Orgasmic Disorder (FOD), also known as female orgasmic difficulty, to the state’s list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. The board’s decision cited the belief that many patients suffering from FOD could already access medical cannabis through other approved conditions, such as pain or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Despite this setback, advocates for the inclusion of FOD in medical cannabis programs remain determined. Suzanne Mulvehill, a clinical sexologist and researcher who has been advocating for the approval of FOD in several states, expressed disappointment but reaffirmed their commitment to the cause. “FOD affects millions of women worldwide and can be caused by a variety of factors, including menopause, chronic diseases, and medications,” Mulvehill explained. “We’re grateful to our dedicated volunteers who work with us to push for change.”
While the petition was rejected in Ohio, another petition seeking to add refractory autism spectrum disorder will proceed to a public comment period and expert review. Mulvehill emphasized that the conditions that contribute to FOD are diverse, and not all are covered by existing qualifying conditions.
Ohio’s decision follows a trend in other states, with Illinois, Connecticut, and New Mexico having taken steps to include FOD as a qualifying condition. Illinois, in particular, saw its Medical Cannabis Advisory Board approve FOD for inclusion earlier this year, with the health department signing off on the recommendation.
In contrast, Oregon rejected a similar petition for FOD, citing a lack of randomized controlled trials to support cannabis as an effective treatment. Mulvehill pointed out that Oregon’s decision is inconsistent with the state’s earlier approval of PTSD as a qualifying condition despite the absence of published studies at the time.
Efforts to add FOD to medical cannabis programs are ongoing in states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and New Jersey, while petitions in Maryland, Arkansas, and Mississippi were previously rejected. In addition to FOD, Mulvehill is advocating for the inclusion of other women’s health conditions like ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis, which have been approved in Illinois.
Research on cannabis and sexual health has been growing, with studies indicating that marijuana may have a positive impact on sexual function, including increased orgasm frequency and improved satisfaction. One 2023 study found that over 70% of surveyed adults reported increased desire and improved orgasms when using cannabis before sex.
Cannabis’s potential to improve sexual health is linked to its interaction with the brain’s default mode network, which governs emotional responses and self-consciousness. Experts like Dr. Jordan Tishler believe that cannabis’s ability to modulate this network can help women with FOD overcome psychological barriers that impact orgasm.
While the rejection in Ohio is a setback, advocates are not giving up on their mission to bring cannabis as a viable treatment option to women suffering from FOD, as they continue to push for policy reform and further research in the field.
