Medical Marijuana Now Approved for More in New York State

As of this weekend, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been added to the list of approved diagnoses for medical marijuana in New York State.  As reported by the Times Union, Governor Cuomo approved the bill yesterday, coinciding with Veterans Day.

As discussed on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VA website, PTSD can happen to anyone who has dealt with a trauma, not just Veterans.  As a psychiatric nurse outside of my radio work, PTSD is something that I frequently encounter.  However, Veterans and those still in service encounter unique and horrific traumas from combat that us civilians will never see or experience.  According to the VA,

While I want to know your thoughts on this, I also want to take a moment to thank all of the Veterans out there, and those in the forces who still serve and give everything for our country.  I've never been in the armed forces, though do have family who were members of the Navy and the Marines.  My experience with the armed forces is limited to the nursing side, through things like case managing to find resources such as housing, and listening to the stories and providing therapeutic discussion (when people are able to and willing to share).  I can not express enough how grateful I am, and all of us our, to our Veterans.  Thank you!