We request that the Michigan Department of Community Health, Review Panel of the Medical Marihuana Act, review this  petition and add PTSD as a qualifying debilitating medical condition. We are aware of the review process and the requirements of action listed within the Administrative Rules, and specifically R 333.133. Our request is due to the following research, findings, and directive:

Results from an Israeli research study suggest that THC, the active constituent in cannabis, has the power to prevent or treat post-traumatic stress disorder, as reported in the Journal of Neuroscience. Also, according to VHA DIRECTIVE 2010-035, the VA has accepted the use of Medical Marijuana by its patients within the 14 states where Medical Marijuana Laws have been enacted. 

Medical marijuana acts as a homeostatic modulator, which means that it is used to help patients get back into a normal state almost to the extent and cause of their PTSD and many other physical/ mental/ psychological conditions. Medical marijuana reduces pain and memories of pain, modulates emotional reactivity, modulates negative affect (depression), relaxes skeletal and smooth muscle, modulates mood decreasing anxiety and insomnia and acts as an antidepressant without adverse effects. Also, the country of Israel, which has been in near constant warfare for fifty plus years, has recognized the benefits of medical marijuana for the treatment of PTSD.

This is a debilitating mental condition that affects many of our soldiers returning from deployment. Currently, estimates set levels of PTSD today in soldiers and veterans of our nations modern wars at 23%. That figure includes ONLY the military personnel involved in our current conflict, and does not include our Vietnam Veterans who have suffered for many years with PTSD, non-military affected during 9/11, and others who have lived through some terrible traumatic event and suffer from the memories. 

Please take the time to discuss this within the Review Panel, to seriously consider the research and studies. It is our patriotic duty to stand up for those who risked their lives for us, only to come back and relive the nightmare in their minds every day. To further deny them the access to safe medicine and limit their options to chemicals that chance making their PTSD worse or side effects that only exacerbate their condition.