New Study Suggests Medical Cannabis Highly Cost-Effective Treatment for PTSD

LOS ANGELES-A recent study highlights the affordability and effectiveness of medical cannabis as a treatment for individuals with moderate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Conducted by researchers at Leafwell, the study suggests that medical cannabis could improve patient health outcomes while potentially lowering overall healthcare costs, even for those without comprehensive insurance coverage.

Researchers evaluated the cost-effectiveness of medical cannabis when used alongside traditional treatments like antidepressants, analyzing different cannabis products under four insurance reimbursement models.

The study found that non-flower cannabis options—such as edibles, tablets, and oral solutions—were the most cost-effective across all insurance scenarios. These products met standard cost-effectiveness thresholds used by U.S. insurers, even under full reimbursement plans.

In contrast, dried cannabis flower was less cost-effective due to its higher cost. However, when insurance covered at least 50% to 70% of the expense, it remained a viable and beneficial treatment option.

Notably, the research also found that medical cannabis provided meaningful health benefits even when patients paid entirely out of pocket, offering advantages without additional costs to insurers.

“This study is a key step in showcasing the economic and therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis in mental health care,” said Dr. Mitchell L. Doucette, lead author and Senior Director of the Health Economics and Outcomes Research Division at Leafwell.