PTSD May Be Added To New Jersey Medical Marijuana List

If our Federal Government would approve it, then maybe the VA would step up as well.

Bill to Add PTSD to New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program Filed in Assembly
The Daily Chronic
By Scott Gacek
September 27, 2014

Studies conducted in Israel — where medical marijuana was allowed beginning in 2005, and has since become a dominant leader in medical marijuana research fueled by Israel’s strong research sector in medicine and technology, have found that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is “safe and well tolerated by patients with chronic PTSD.”

TRENTON, NJ — A bill to add post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in New Jersey was filed Monday.

The bill, Assembly Bill 3726, is sponsored by Vincent Mazzeo (D-Atlantic) and Linda Stender (D-Middlesex, Somerset and Union).

Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that is estimated to impact some eight million Americans annually, including many military veterans returning from combat as well as victims of violent crimes, such as rape.

To date, there are no pharmaceutical treatments specifically designed or approved to target symptoms of PTSD.

“[We] have long hoped that PTSD would be the first condition that would be added to qualify for marijuana therapy in New Jersey,” said Ken Wolski, Executive Director for the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey.

“PTSD is poorly managed by traditional pharmacologic intervention–22 veterans commit suicide every day here in the U.S.”

“Our veterans deserve the best healthcare available and that includes marijuana therapy,” Wolski added.

“CMMNJ is committed to efforts to add PTSD and other mental and emotional conditions to the New Jersey list of qualifying conditions ASAP.” read more here