Rhode Island Senate Unanimously Approves Bill to Add PTSD as Medical Cannabis Condition
Rhode Island’s full Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill that would add post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying medical cannabis condition. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives, where its passage will send it Governor Gina Raimondo for consideration.
Under current Rhode Island law, medical cannabis is legal for those with a variety of conditions such as cancer and HIV/AIDS, though it remains illegal for those with PTSD. This new bill would change that, allowing those with PTSD to legally purchase, possess and use cannabis for medical purposes if they receive a recommendation from a physician.
“I think if it is suitably controlled by a prescription and supervised then the availability should be there,” says Senator Jack Reed. “It will help veterans. It will help everyone.”
Passage of the bill comes less than a week after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow Veterans Affairs doctors to recommend medical cannabis to their patients.
