Using marijuana to treat PTSD receives mixed reviews from researchers

Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia, but researchers are still fighting an uphill battle to justify the plant’s medicinal use.

Sue Sisley, a researcher studying the impact smoking marijuana has on veteran’s post-traumatic stress disorder, says one of her biggest obstacles is working with the Veterans Administration. Due to federal restrictions, the VA hospital in Phoenix does not participate in any way with Sisley’s research. Sisley says without the ability to work freely with both marijuana and veterans, results will take time.

There are currently 33 veterans enrolled in Dr. Sisley’s study.  She needs 43 additional participants. Sisley is considering expanding the focus of the study beyond veterans if she cannot recruit enough participants.