Canada Is Studying Marijuana As A Treatment For PTSD

Canada is taking the lead on studying marijuana as a way to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

Canada is studying marijuana as a treatment for PTSD. This project could make Canada a world leader in marijuana research, surpassing studies in United States that are consistently hampered by marijuanas Schedule 1 status.Is Canada poised to overtake American researchers in the feel of marijuana?

American Cannabis Research

“Currently in the United States, studies are stalled due to the lack of federal approval of using cannabis for testing,” Bryan Hendin, President of Apollo Applied Research – in a press release “Strains of medical marijuana are classified as a Schedule 1 drug, which is tightly controlled by the Food and Drug Administration. This presents a challenge for conducting studies with American veterans who are struggling with PTSD. Canada is positioned to be a leader in medical cannabis research.”

Rescheduling of marijuana has been a long time issue for U.S researchers, and it doesn’t look like its going to change anytime soon. Many groups have have called on the  government to reschedule cannabis, but the DEA has has been very steadfast in its decision to have marijuana remain as a Schedule 1 drug. But further research coming from Canada could pressure the American government to recognize the medical value of cannabis, and to help veterans and other patients with PTSD gain access to medical marijuana.

PTSD has become a major topic of discussion among marijuana advocates. Right now, Canada and some American states including Michigan and Nevada recognize cannabis as a drug that can people suffering from PTSD treat their symptoms and have PTSD as a qualifying condition. But New York, Illinois and other states that have legalized medical marijuana don’t include PTSD. Veterans Affairs prohibits V.A. physicians from prescribing cannabis to American veterans.

Canadian Cannabis Research

On Mar. 16, Apollo Research – a network of Canadian medical cannabis clinics that prescribe medical marijuana – announced that it’s beginning a cross-country study to investigate the effects marijuana has on patients with PTSD.

“This research study is a passion project and it is timely given the national attention that is being given to Veterans, First Responders and to mental health awareness overall,” said Bryan Hendin, President of Apollo Applied Research – in a press release.”There has been a lot of anecdotal evidence [in favor of using cannabis to treat PTSD] and now it’s time for validated research. We have learned a lot…on what strains and prescribing methods work best for our chronic pain patients,” said Hendin.

The PTSD project will aim to do the same. And while Apollo is spearheading research, they hope to partner with Veterans Affairs Canada in the near future.