We need YOUR help to get PTSD added to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Colorado!
Veterans can’t wait! Victims of domestic violence can’t wait! Witnesses of violent crimes can’t wait! Survivors of natural disasters can’t wait!
In November 2000, voters in Colorado passed Amendment 20 legalizing the medical use of cannabis in the state. The Amendment included 8 conditions that would qualify someone to use medical marijuana:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV or AIDS
- Cachexia
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Seizures
- Severe nausea
- Severe pain
Since that time, the Board of Health has been petitioned to add other conditions to the list:
- Asthma
- Atherosclerosis
- Bi-polar Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Diabetes Mellitus, types 1 & 2
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Hepatitis C
- Hypertension
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
- Opiod Dependence
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Severe Anxiety and Clinical Depression
- Tourette’s Syndrome
To date, none of these have been approved; no additions have been made. In 15 years, not a single condition has been added to the list. No condition has even made it for consideration in a public hearing.
More than any other, the Board has been petitioned several times to add PTSD, but has rejected the request every time. The last denial came shortly before Amendment 64 passed, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.
Now is your chance to help change that!
The Board of Health has been petitioned once again to add PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Colorado, and this time, that petition will be heard in a rulemaking hearing on July 15.
The Scientific Advisory Council reviewed the petition and recommended it to the Board of Health. That recommendation was presented to the BoH in May. After a lengthy discussion, the Board agreed to move it forward to a public hearing.
This is HUGE! No petition for any condition has ever made it this far in the process in Colorado.
But now the most difficult step is before us. We have to convince a board of medical-types, not all of whom support the medicinal use of cannabis, that people suffering with PTSD can find relief using cannabis medicinally. It won’t be easy. This is a group of researchers and doctors who want evidence to support their decisions. And, no surprise, psychiatrists and addiction counselors are looking to be our biggest opponents.
WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!
This can’t wait! Tell the Board of Health that PTSD should be added to the list now!
You can submit written comment to the Board of Health until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9. The CDPHE has provided guidance on how to do that in this PDF document: BOH Guidance for Stakeholder Participation. Please remember to be respectful in your communication.
Written comment is critical to this effort!
- No time limit. You’re not held to 2 to 3 minutes, so you have time to tell your story.
- Do it from home. You can make a difference, right from your home computer.
- Supporting documents. You can include links to research studies and articles to support your points.
- Photos and video. You could even submit photos or a recording of yourself with your family.
Although our military veterans are critical to this effort, PTSD isn’t limited to vets. We need victims of domestic violence, natural disasters, human trafficking, sexual assault and other tragedies to speak up too. Achieving a successful outcome in this effort will benefit all sufferers of PTSD who choose to use cannabis therapeutically.
Even if you personally don’t have PTSD, your opinion matters too. We need the support of everyone. The voices of supportive spouses and family members can be particularly compelling. This is a critical step, one we’ve never taken before. Our best chance of success is by taking that step together.
Please, take time today to write a thoughtful email and send it to cdphe.bohrequests@state.co.us.
If you’d like to attend the hearing:
July 15, 2015
10:00 a.m.
Sabin-Cleere Conference Room
Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
Bldg. A, First Floor
4300 Cherry Creek Drive, South
Denver, CO 80246
We need you. Patients need you. This is your chance to make a difference.
DO IT NOW!
To keep this moving forward, we need your financial support. Coordinating an effort like this takes a lot of time and resources. If you think this cause is important, then PLEASE DONATE to Cannabis Patients Alliance TODAY so we can keep working!
Even small contributions add up and really make a difference and show our strength in numbers. Your (not tax-deductible) donation will help pay for patient outreach and public education, plus all those things needed to keep an organization running: office space, internet, staff time, printing, utilities, phone, and so much more!
DON’T WAIT! We need your help NOW!
Colorado’s Scientific Advisory Committee to review petition to add PTSD
BoH Rulemaking Notice 7.15.15 (1)
BOH_Guidance-for-Stakeholder-Participation (1)
Categories: ACTION!, Advocacy, Colorado, Family & Relationships, Medical & Research, Mental Health, Patients, Policy & Politics, Research, Veterans, Women
Cannabis Patients Alliance 
For some great tips on telling your story effectively: http://billmoyers.com/content/how-to-tell-your-story-of-self/
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It is time to get off the rock n do something right for our veterans n if mary jane helps n i know it does i have seen it with my own eyes n it is time to give it to our veterans !!!
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Of course veterans as well as all people with PTSD needs marijuana!! It works. I know for a fact. I have PTSD but unfortunately Oklahoma is illegal. I’ve been busted with lil weed couple times so I know for a fact it helps me with PTSD & asthma & chronic pain from arthritis as well as other benefits my body uses it for.
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