(Updated from 8/6/2013)
The Medical Marijuana Act Review Panel of 9 convened yesterday to consider adding asthma, autism, and PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions for the medical use of marijuana. The panel, which has been subjected to harsh criticism for mismanagement and lack of productivity in the past, decided that autism and asthma would not be accepted, even though research keeps mounting that medical marijuana helps with both of these ailments.
(Related: Top Doctor Reveals the Truth about Marijuana’s Effect on the Lungs)
The good news is, PTSD has advanced beyond the first round with the panel voting 7-2 in favor. LARA is now required to post the conditions 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 that the petition is filed. The head of LARA, the state agency responsible for appointing the panel and administering the medical marijuana program, will have final say on whether to add PTSD to the list of debilitating conditions.
