A group of advocates for veterans want New York state to allow marijuana to be prescribed to service men or women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders.
Randi Weathers of the “We Are Listening” campaign says some other states allow marijuana for treatment of PTS. The group is collecting petition signatures to ask New York to do the same. Hundreds of visitors to the state fair have signed the petitions.
“The point of the signatures we’re trying to get of the campaign is to show that New York residents, they’re in support of it. They believe that veterans deserve choices when it comes to their care, and that opioids are not the answer to a lot of the chronic pain and issues they have and that the VA are handing out,” said Weathers.
Supporters say that in states where marijuana is a treatment alternative, instances of suicide, opioid abuse and addiction are lower among vets.
“So we’re trying to add PTS to our list of qualifying conditions, to help with mood disorders, anger outbursts, social anxiety, and the list goes on. Just to improve the quality of life for veterans.”
