Maine Adopts Law Allowing Medical Marijuana for PTSD

AUGUSTA, ME – Maine residents suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will soon be allowed to treat their symptoms with medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it. A bill adding PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, LD 1062, became law Tuesday without the governor’s signature.

A similar measure was signed into law earlier this month in Oregon, and medical marijuana is currently allowed in the treatment of PTSD in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Mexico.

“There is mounting evidence demonstrating the benefits of medical marijuana for individuals suffering from PTSD,” said David Boyer, Maine political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. “Maine lawmakers should be commended for taking action to ensure veterans and others living with PTSD are able to use medical marijuana to alleviate their symptoms and live healthy and productive lives. They deserve nothing less.

“A growing number of states are beginning to consider allowing the use of medical marijuana in the treatment of PTSD,” Boyer said. We hope they will move forward and follow the example that has been set by Maine and other states.”

Research and anecdotal evidence have concluded that medical marijuana can alleviate common symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety and traumatic memories. The federal government has blocked efforts to conduct clinical trials exploring the potential benefits of medical marijuana in the treatment of the condition.

There are approximately 7.7 million American adults suffering from PTSD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Eighteen states and Washington, D.C. allow patients with qualifying conditions to use medical marijuana with recommendations from their physicians. The Illinois Legislature approved similar legislation in May, which is now awaiting the governor’s signature.

The New Hampshire Legislature adopted similar legislation today and the governor has announced she will sign it.

Maine Adopts Law Allowing Medical Marijuana for PTSD was written by and appears in full on The Daily Chronic.

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