Pubdate: Sat, 26 Apr 2014
Source: Times Argus (Barre, VT)
Copyright: 2014 Times Argus
Contact: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=OPINION03
Website: http://www.timesargus.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/893
Author: Gary Alton Russell
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n366/a07.html

LISTEN TO THOSE WHO KNOW PTSD

I share Joe Hanson's concerns regarding Keith Flynn's influence over 
the House Human Services Committee's consideration of medical 
marijuana for PTSD (Letters April 24: "What is the real agenda?").

"A lack of testimony" was cited as a reason to drop PTSD ("Lawmakers 
balk at medical marijuana for PTSD," April 12) Why was there no 
testimony? I can't understand how one man can sway so many lawmakers, 
especially when considering the fact that apparently no other people 
were present to offer their professional or personal perspective.

I am a child abuse survivor. At 46, I still suffer from flashbacks, 
nightmares, social anxiety and a number of other unpleasant and 
barely manageable conditions. I take seven medications and it's still 
not enough. Marijuana might help.

PTSD affects war veterans, abuse survivors and other victims of 
trauma. It can have a debilitating effect which affects the ability 
to engage with the world - even a small corner of it. I hope that 
future efforts to add PTSD to the approved conditions for medical 
marijuana will include testimony from PTSD sufferers.

Gary Alton Russell

Montpelier
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