Can PTSD sufferers benefit from the medical use of marijuana? Some states differ in their opinion…

Even some states legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes, exactly what constitutes a medical purpose can vary widely from state to state.  Recently, New Mexico legalized medical marijuana use, noting that it could be used to treat symptoms of cancer and other terminal, chronic diseases.  It also extends its use to those who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.  This, however, is considered by many to be a controversial use of the marijuana, and one state that legalized medical marijuana use over ten years ago, Colorado, refuses to allow its use for post traumatic stress disorder.  So, what makes two states that agree on legalizing pot for medical purposes differ so radically on using it for a recognized, debilitating condition like PTSD?

According to the New York Times, in Colorado, where medical marijuana use has been legalized for over a decade, lawmakers continue to debate the merits of its use for post traumatic stress disorder.  In fact, the Colorado legislature recently saw debate and eventual defeat of a proposal that would require the Department of Public Health and Environment to conduct a study into whether cannabis could be used as a treatment for those suffering from the condition.  Some of the reasoning behind the defeat was that there is no medical evidence suggesting that pot can even help those with the disorder.  Interestingly, the only referenced reports indicate that its use may cause addiction and substance abuse in post traumatic stress sufferers.  So, if Colorado’s reasoning is sound, and if there is no evidence showing its effectiveness in treating the disorder, why would New Mexico allow its use?

When the New Mexico advisory board recommended using marijuana as a method to treat post traumatic stress disorder in January 2009, they admitted that there were no studies showing that smoking pot could help the disorder.  However, they did acknowledge that using cannabis can relieve anxiety, which is one of the hallmarks of post traumatic stress disorder, and this is something that is well documented by health professionals, researchers, and scientists.  Since its inception, approximately a quarter of the 1,376 individuals approved for medical marijuana use in New Mexico have post traumatic stress disorder, according to the New York Times.  This is more than the number of patients who use it to combat the effects of cancer or any other approved condition.

Do you think PTSD sufferers can benefit from marijuana use? Why or why not? If the reasoning used by New Mexico lawmakers is sound, and the use of marijuana can indeed quall the effects of anxiety associated with PTSD, then it seems reasonable to allow its use for PTSD sufferers. But if Colorado lawmakers are correct, and marijuana use leads to addiction and the use of other drugs, then I can see why some are hesitant.

In any case, it is very likely that this debate will continue to spring up in states that have legalized medical marijuana use.  I also think that at least some clinical trials are desperately needed to understand whether those with post traumatic stress disorder can truly benefit from smoking pot without battling addiction or abuse later on down the line.

I look forward to following this hot topic and will try to keep this blog updated with further developments on the matter. Feel free to weigh in on the matter by leaving a comment below.