Several pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Texas legislature to broaden access to medical cannabis for more conditions. Meanwhile, activists assert that many individuals experiencing trauma may be unaware that they already qualify.
Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation, stated, “Our program is still extremely tiny, especially with PTSD, and a portion of that is probably awareness.”
In Texas, this business is still finding its way. Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation is one of three dispensaries in the state that sell medical marijuana.
According to Richardson, the compassionate use program is underutilized, particularly for the more prevalent PTSD diagnosis.
He stated that Florida has 400,000 registered PTSD sufferers using medicinal cannabis, but Texas has 42,000 registered medical cannabis patients regardless of diagnosis, with approximately 10,000 remaining active.
“One-third of the time, FDA-approved pharmaceuticals help with anxiety, but the other two-thirds of the time, they either don’t do much or make the symptoms worse,” said Dr. Mathew Brimberry, owner of the Texas Cannabis Clinic.
Brimberry concurs with the statement that the program is underutilized. Although PTSD is his most common diagnosis for medical marijuana treatment, doctors occasionally misdiagnose patients with general anxiety or panic disorder, according to him.
“Patients and physicians may believe that PTSD is mostly limited to veterans or individuals who have suffered combat trauma,” said Brimberry.
Brimberry stated that PTSD can affect anyone. He said that it is a condition induced by a life-threatening incident that you have either experienced, witnessed, or been exposed to.
Brimberry stated, “It’s unsettling how much trauma individuals are holding on to that genuinely affects them on a daily basis.”
Typical symptoms include intrusive memories such as nightmares, avoidance of circumstances that remind one of the traumatic experience, unpleasant thoughts, and hyperawareness. He stated that if you feel this way, it is simple to join the program.
“We provide free service to everyone in the state of Texas,” stated Brimberry. We will assess your case and notify you if your supporting material meets the program’s requirements.
DPS maintains a list of Texas physicians authorized to administer medical cannabis. If the physician deems the patient qualifies, they will be entered into the system and will be able to complete their prescription at any of the dispensaries.
Brimberry stated that medical marijuana is not a panacea for PTSD. Once your symptoms are under control, he said, it’s crucial to seek counseling.
According to Brimberry, he has been educating physicians and Texans on the scientific basis of medical cannabis. During the introduction of the compassionate use program for PTSD, he participated in an observational study with 14 veterans. He reported observing a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms following medical marijuana use.
