The study of marijuana as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder has hit a major snag, which is discouraging news for the medical cannabis industry.
Dr. Suzanne Sisley, who had received federal approval to study marijuana’s impact on veterans with PTSD, was terminated last week by the University of Arizona. The termination means Sisley must find a new university to back her study, which could take more than a year.
Backers of the study hoped it would lead to a prescription cannabis drug for PTSD patients, while MMJ advocates believe it would help convince more states to add the ailment to their list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana cards.
Only six states currently allow PTSD to be treated by medical marijuana. Veterans groups and cannabis advocates are pressuring lawmakers in many states to add it to their MMJ programs.
The federal government took three years to approve Sisley’s study, granting her access to the plant in March.
The University of Arizona did not provide an explanation for Sisley’s dismissal, however the scientist said she believes it was motivated by political pressure.
