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6/16/2016
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Assembly votes to add post traumatic stress disorder to list of conditions treatable with medical marijuana
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STATE HOUSE — The General Assembly today voted to approve legislation introduced by Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston) and Rep. Scott A. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence) that would add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of conditions that may be treated with medical marijuana. The measure now heads to the governor’s office.
The bills (2016-S 2115, 2016-H 7142) add post-traumatic stress disorder to the definition of “debilitating medical condition” for purposes of qualifying for medical marijuana in the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act.
“Medical marijuana is already the law of Rhode Island. We’ve already established that it works in treating certain conditions,” Senator Archambault said. “It is unconscionable that we would not add PTSD to the list of medical conditions that would benefit from it. Post traumatic stress disorder is a very real psychological problem, particularly among our veteran community, and it’s our responsibility to provide them with treatment options that can alleviate their suffering.”
According to a report from the Veterans Administration, nearly 30 percent of veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars suffer from PTSD. Some scientists have suggested that marijuana may help PTSD symptoms, which can include anxiety, flashbacks and depression. In a recent study, patients who smoked cannabis saw an average 75 percent reduction in PTSD symptoms.
“Study after study continues to find useful medical applications for marijuana, including helping those with crippling ailments such as PTSD and those that are suffering incredible pain at the end of their lives,” said Representative Slater. “Both those with PTSD and those in hospice care deserve our compassion toward their suffering and if marijuana helps ease their pain, it is our responsibility to allow legal access to marijuana for these patients in the hopes that their lives become as comfortable as possible.”
The bill would also accelerate the issuance of an approved medical marijuana use application if the patient is eligible for hospice care. It would require the Department of Health to issue a registry identification card to the qualifying patient and primary caregivers named in the patient’s application within 72 hours of receipt of the completed application.
According to the Department of Health, more than 10,000 people in Rhode Island carry medical marijuana cards to treat an approved list of conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease and Alzheimer’s, among others.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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