Colorado is One Step Closer to Adding PTSD as a Qualifier for Cannabis
Patients in Colorado who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may soon gain access to medical cannabis. During a Senate committee meeting on January 30, lawmakers debated SB 17-17, which is known as the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Bill.
The debate happened during a discussion on Veterans and Military Affairs. Veterans, patients with stress disorders, activists and even doctors were present at the meeting. Founder of Veterans for Natural Rights and Board Member of Cannabis Patients Alliance, Matt Kahl, is a veteran himself. He testified on behalf of Senate Bill 17 at the meeting. “It’s about freedom,” Kahl said. “We gave our blood, sweat and tears, sometimes our lives for the principle of freedom.”
On the other hand, some medical professionals voiced their concerns about cannabis being used to treat PTSD. Dr. Adam Burstein spoke on behalf of various physicians in attendance at the meeting. “As far as safety, there are well-known, proven treatments for PTSD,” Dr. Burstein said. He continued to share that it would be most important to disallow PTSD as a qualifying condition for cannabis, because in his opinion it could worsen the mental symptoms of PTSD.
Senator Irene Aguilar is also a physician, however her stance was that cannabis would be a safe alternative for patients, many of who commit suicide due to PTSD. She even stated that the medical industry has an “institutional bias” against the effectiveness of cannabis as a medicine.
SB-17 has been put on the senate’s consent calendar, and it is likely to pass through the Senate and House. If Colorado decides to allow patients with stress disorders safe access to cannabis, it will be the 20th state to do so.
