Thursday , March 28 2024
Home / World Cannabis News / Medical Marijuana Study for PTSD Approved in Arizona

Medical Marijuana Study for PTSD Approved in Arizona

Marijuana PTSD Study

Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have approved a study regarding the effectiveness of medical marijuana for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). Applications for participants to join the study will be accepted soon. The study will take place in North Phoenix and will include 38 veterans with documented PTSD.

Approval of these studies mark the first ever approved by both the FDA and DEA for the marijuana flower rather than marijuana oils or synthetic options, according to AZ Central.

The goal of the study is to prove that medical marijuana helps treat PTSD. If the study does prove an improvement in symptoms, a push for FDA approval of medical marijuana for all veterans will begin.

The percentages of veterans with documented PTSD are:

  • 30 percent of Vietnam War veterans
  • 12 percent of Gulf War veterans
  • 11 to 20 percent of Iraq/Afghanistan War veterans

The principal investigator for this study is Dr. Sue Sisley, who said, “It’s been such a long struggle for these vets. They’ve been standing with us, shoulder to shoulder, all these years. We would never turn our backs on these guys. We were determined to keep it here and we found a way to do that.”

The candidates should have treatment-resistant and chronic PTSD. Study participants should be available for regular appointments in Deer Valley, Arizona, during the 12-week study. Out-of-state participants will be considered. The study will take place at a staggered observation and start date over the course of two years.

Veterans wishing to be considered to participate in the study can email arizona@marijuanasites.org.

Veterans chosen for the study will be taught how to use medical marijuana and will be provided with 1.8 grams of marijuana to use daily. Sleep will be monitored, which requires a weekly lab visit.  Participants will be given varying strains of marijuana, including high THC or CBD percentages with cessation breaks to study any return of symptoms or difficulties without the medical marijuana.