FDA Approves Cannabis Trial for Treating PTSD in Veterans

LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a clinical trial investigating the use of smoked cannabis as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans. The study, led by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), marks a significant step in exploring alternative therapies for PTSD, a condition affecting an estimated 7% of U.S. veterans. Over 320 veterans diagnosed with moderate to severe PTSD will participate in the trial, which aims to provide data on the effectiveness and safety of cannabis administered in real-world consumption scenarios.

This landmark study has received financial backing from Michigan’s Veteran Marijuana Research Grant Program, supported by tax revenue from legal cannabis sales. Michigan allocated $13 million in 2021 for this research and other cannabis-related studies. The approval follows years of regulatory delays and challenges, including concerns over THC dosage and delivery methods. A successful trial could lead to broader acceptance of cannabis as a viable treatment for PTSD, with potential implications for the cannabis industry and healthcare policy. However, experts caution that market impacts are unlikely in the short term, given the lengthy process required for drug approval and commercialization.