(Update: Panel Approves PTSD)
A new panel is expected to consider petitions aimed at adding autism, asthma, insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of debilitating conditions to Michigan’s medical marijuana law. Many believe this panel should have convened much sooner to consider these conditions, but due to mismanagement it never came to fruition.
Though the panel was created in 2009, no meeting took place until 2012. That panel considered adding Parkinson’s and PTSD, but was dismantled in April because LARA deemed that the members were not appointed in accordance with administrative rules.
Though PTSD has been on the list to be considered before, the fact that the previous panel had not been created in accordance with the rules prevented it from being added. There are also concerns that this could provide a loop-hole for veterans to be added to the list, as the VA is staunchly opposed to any use of the drug.
If the panel does recommend adding ailments, LARA would then be required to post them online, hold a public hearing within 60 days and forward public comment back to the panel for further consideration. After that, the department director must make a final determination within 180 days of the date a petition is filed.
