On April 20th of each year, people celebrate the
king of all things green – marijuana.
And on that day last month, Colorado’s Department of Health and
Environment agreed to provide funding for a groundbreaking marijuana study.
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) has signed off on
allowing veterans, 76 in total, to legally use “raw” marijuana in an effort to
see if it aids them in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The drug will be provided courtesy of the
Federal government as well – unbeknownst to me, the Feds own a marijuana farm
at the University of Mississippi.
Variations of strains and potencies will be tested on those
participating.
Getting the DEA onboard provides a real opportunity for
marijuana to become a prescription drug, and the study is the first step at
beginning this process. Most drugs have
to undergo a rigorous research and testing process before they hit the market,
and this will help marijuana meet that criteria too. The funding is sourced from medical marijuana
application fees, which frankly, makes total sense.
Marijuana has been legalized in various states for medical
purposes to treat a variety of health problems, including cancer, pain and
seizures. Many individuals who suffer
from PTSD claim that marijuana has helped them deal with the ailments that
accompany PTSD.
According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ website,
7-8% of the American population will suffer from PTSD during their
lifetime. From the veteran population,
an estimated 30% of Vietnam vets have experienced PTSD; 12% of Gulf War vets,
and 11-20% of those that served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom.
Enrollment will likely take place over a two year period,
and the results will hopefully be known by 2019. The study will take place out of Arizona and
Maryland.
For those suffering from PTSD, and in particular military
veterans, this study could be life (not just mind) altering. The approval itself has already impacted the
legal community, and it will only continue to do so if it is proved effective
and safe for treatment.
