Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jun 2013
Source: Portland Daily Sun (ME)
Copyright: 2013 The Portland Daily Sun
Contact:  http://portlanddailysun.me/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5257

PTSD ADDED TO LIST OF QUALIFYING CONDITIONS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA, 
GROUP REPORTS

Maine residents suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder will 
soon be allowed to treat their symptoms with medical marijuana if 
their doctors recommend it, an advocacy group reported Wednesday. A 
bill adding PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions for medical 
marijuana, LD 1062, became law Tuesday without the governor's 
signature, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.

A similar measure was signed into law earlier this month in Oregon, 
and medical marijuana is currently allowed in the treatment of PTSD 
in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts and New Mexico, 
the group reported.

"There is mounting evidence demonstrating the benefits of medical 
marijuana for individuals suffering from PTSD," said David Boyer, 
Maine political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "Maine 
lawmakers should be commended for taking action to ensure veterans 
and others living with PTSD are able to use medical marijuana to 
alleviate their symptoms and live healthy and productive lives. They 
deserve nothing less."

Eighteen states and Washington, D.C. allow patients with qualifying 
conditions to use medical marijuana with recommendations from their 
physicians. The Illinois Legislature approved similar legislation in 
May, which is now awaiting the governor's signature. The New 
Hampshire Legislature adopted similar legislation Wednesday and the 
governor has announced she will sign it, Boyer said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom