Allowing Veterans Marijuana for PTSD Ignores all Science

An amendment which will require Veterans’ Administration psychiatrists to allow medical marijuana for veterans with PTSD passed the House of Representatives on May 19.  If this law had been in place on February 2, 2013, when Eddie Routh killed Chad Littlefield and Chris Kyle, their families could have sued the VA.

The defendant in the “American Sniper” murder trial, Eddie Routh, was found guilty of murder even though he plead not guilty by reason of insanity.  Prosecutors argued his deadly behavior was brought on not by schizophrenia, but weed. They called it “marijuana psychosis.”   He was a veteran, but certainly not the first veteran to go into a raging psychosis after using marijuana.  One of Parents Opposed to Pot’s followers begged us for help to save her son.

Congress is choosing to act against the scientific literature, most recently the study from Yale which covered more than 2,000 veterans between 1992 and 2011.  For the veterans who used marijuana, there was a worsening of PTSD symptoms and increased violence.    Congress is following a course that risks making people who are already fragile more depressed and anxious, and possibly violent.

Other Marijuana – Related Lawsuits

Lawsuits involving medical and recreational marijuana are mounting.  The family of Kristine Kirk, who was shot by her husband during his cannabis-induced psychosis, are filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the three Kirk children.  A recreational marijuana manufacturer and store that sold a weed-laced candy to Richard Kirk are named in the suit.  Kirk is awaiting trial on charges he shot his wife to death after consuming the treat. The lawsuit, according to the Denver Post, claims the manufacturer and store failed to properly warn Kirk of the candy’s potency and possible side effects, including hallucinations and psychotic episodes.

The family of Kate Steinle, killed by Francesco Sanchez, whom San Francisco refused to prosecute for his marijuana crimes, is now suing the city of San Francisco.   Sanchez, under the influence of marijuana, was delusional and terrified because he thought he saw a sea lion.  (Some people see this as an immigration issue, but Parents Opposed to Pot notices that if he served time for his marijuana crimes, he would not have been on the street.)

A 16-year-old Seattle boy jumped six floors to his death after the first time he tried marijuana on December 5, 2015.    Although the marijuana was purchased legally, Hamza Warsame was not a legal consumer.  After extensive investigation, his death was determined to be an accident caused by his reaction to marijuana.

Coverup of the Marijuana -Psychosis Risk

First the American Press and now Congress is ignoring the scientific literature that shows marijuana is related to psychosis and violence.

Information on the marijuana and psychosis risk was presented at the National Press Office more than 11 years ago.   A video meant to be a Public Service Announcement for parents and their children was ignored by the American Press.    The media coverup has continued.

Lives could have been saved, and so many cases of mental illness and psychotic breakdowns and crimes could have been prevented – if the American Press had decided to report to the public.    In fact the scientific evidence on each of the following is voluminous: marijuana & psychosis, marijuana & violence and marijuana & psychiatric disorders.