By Carole C. Schriefer, R.N., J.D., The Health Law Firm
On July 15, 2015, the Colorado Board of Health denied a bid to approve medical marijuana as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Colorado is known for pushing the boundaries with marijuana, but health officials rejected the idea that it can be an effective form of treatment for PTSD patients. The board voted against the recommendation of the state’s chief medical officer and marks the third time Colorado’s health officials have said ‘No’ to including PTSD on its marijuana approved list of uses.
Is Marijuana Medicine?
The Colorado Board of Health voted 6-2, to reject a petition for PTSD to be considered a “debilitating condition” and can be treated with medical marijuana. Several veterans testified that marijuana saved their lives, but some board members believed that there was not enough scientific evidence or medical trials to support this claim. The board, many of them physicians, said they couldn’t approve a medical treatment that falls short of federal guidelines. To read this article in full from The Denver Post, click here.
Some of those attending the vote, noted that none of the conditions currently approved for medical marijuana cards, including AIDS, epilepsy and glaucoma, has the kind of scientific evidence or research to support the claim To read more of this from the Associated Press, click here.
To read a past blog on marijuana policy, click here.
Vote Yes.
According to The Denver Post, supporters of the proposal say that rather than focusing on the hard science, the needs of patients should also be considered. If it had been approved, it would have allowed physicians to recommend certain medical marijuana strains to provide relief without a ‘high’, according to Teri Robnett, director of the Cannabis Patients Alliance. Click here to go to their website and learn more about the Cannabis Patients Alliance.
Legal But With Limits.
Voters in Colorado have approved the legal use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, but government officials have not been quick to jump on board. Despite this recent rejection, Colorado has approved the use of marijuana for various health ailments. Colorado’s approved list of uses for medical marijuana currently includes muscle spasms, epilepsy, cancer, severe glaucoma and nausea. Currently, nine states allow physicians to recommend medical marijuana treatment for PTSD patients. To read a past blog on uses of medical marijuana, click here.
Comments?
Do you agree that PTSD should be excluded from the medical marijuana approval list? Do you approve of using medical marijuana as a treatment? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.
Contact Experienced Health Law Attorneys for Medical Marijuana Concerns.
The Health Law Firm attorneys can assist health care providers and facilities, such as doctors, pharmacists and pharmacies, wanting to participate in the medical marijuana industry. We can properly draft and complete the applications for registration, permitting and/or licensing, while complying with Florida law. We can also represent doctors, pharmacies and pharmacists facing proceedings brought by state regulators or agencies.
To contact the Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
Sources:
Draper, Electa. “Colorado Board Voted No on Allowing Medical Marijuana for PTSD.” The Denver Post. (July 15, 2015). From: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28487952/colorado-board-votes-no-allowing-medical-pot-ptsd
Gray, Eliza. “Colorado Health Board Votes ‘No’ on Treating PTSD With Marijuana.” Time. ( July 15, 2015). From: http://time.com/3960940/colorado-ptsd-marijuana/
Coffman, Keith. “Colorado Rejects Medical Marijuana for PTSD Treatment.” Reauters. ( July 18, 2015). From: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/16/us-usa-colorado-marijuana-idUSKCN0PQ0CC20150716
Wyatt, Kristin. “Pot-pioneering Colorado rejects marijuana as PTSD treatment.” Associated Press. (July 16, 2015). From: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ce4bcc9493e1470aa56a40ef0b7c95e3/colorado-land-pot-experimentation-rejects-ptsd-use
About the Author: Carole C. Schriefer is a nurse-attorney with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its regional office is in the Northern Colorado, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 155 East Boardwalk Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525. Phone: (970) 416-7456.
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