Pubdate: Wed, 13 Apr 2016
Source: Daily Observer, The (Pembroke, CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Melissa Jardine-Ridley
Contact: http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/letters
Website: http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2615
Author: Melissa Jardine-Ridley

MARIJUANA THERAPY SMOKE AND MIRRORS

Re: "Marijuana for Trauma opens" Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016

Improved access to medical marijuana for our soldiers so that they 
can deal with the trauma of combat, are you serious? Where is the 
valid and reliable research to support the benefits of medical 
marijuana for soldiers affected with post-traumatic stress disorder 
(PTSD)? There are numerous short-term studies out there stating that 
medical marijuana is safe for the treatment of PTSD and that there 
are no risk factors, but I strongly urge people to consider that this 
assumption is based off of low-quality scientific evidence.

There is however, an array of research highlighting risks like 
dependence, addiction, exacerbation of PTSD symptoms, psychosis and 
even alterations in brain chemistry for those under the age of 25. 
Could you imagine if other drugs were approved in this manner?! 
Health Canada has not even approved marijuana as a drug or medicine 
and by no means endorses its use. The courts deemed it necessary for 
there to be access to a legal source of marijuana and then placed the 
onus on the healthcare practitioner, as if they did not have enough 
to worry about! How could a practitioner, in good faith, prescribe 
something that lacks clinical trials and research? This places risks 
on both our practitioners and Canadians seeking treatment.

Marijuana for Trauma (MFT) is by no means the enemy. They have great 
intentions to help out other fellow soldiers. I am, however, worried 
about the lack of safeguards in place for our soldiers affected with 
PTSD. They are considered a vulnerable population that can be at risk 
for substance abuse and other mental health concerns. MFT's 
philosophy of "plants not pills" is truly smoke and mirrors. There 
seems to be a notion that marijuana is safe because it occurs in 
nature, but so does poison ivy and deadly nightshade! Pharmaceuticals 
have their place in the treatment of PTSD and can be very beneficial 
when paired with psychotherapy.

MFT states their focus is dealing with the trauma but according to 
their website, "marijuana aids in memory extinction." Aside from 
removal of an area in the brain, memory extinction does not exist in 
plant or pill form. I encourage the government to adopt and increase 
access to other safe and effective methods for PTSD recovery. Peer 
support through programs like Occupation Stress Injury Support System 
(OSISS), provides a solid support network with veterans helping 
veterans. There are other therapies tailored to PTSD. For example Can 
Praxis and The War Horse Project utilize horses to help the soldier 
explore their PTSD and find healthy coping skills that can be 
transferred to everyday life. These types of treatments truly focus 
on the trauma and allow the individual to be active in their recovery 
while also finding meaning in their trauma.

Our soldiers provided an honourable service and they deserve safe and 
effective treatment.

Where are the safeguards to protect those who protected our country?

Melissa Jardine-Ridley Petawawa 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D