South Dakota Legislature has approved the addition of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of approved medical marijuana certifications

 

South Dakota Legislature has approved the addition of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of approved medical marijuana certifications.   The bill (Senate Bill 1) passed the House by a vote of 36 to 32. Supporters of the bill, including Rep. Ernie Otten (R-Tea), believe that adding PTSD will give people relief.  Some lawmakers were surprised at the people using cannabis that they would never have guessed were using it. Rep. Fred Deutsch (R-Florence) spoke against the measure, arguing that there are plenty of worldwide studies that state that medical cannabis is not effective in treating PTSD. The bill allows the Legislature to determine which ailments or disorders qualify for medical marijuana, whereas previously, the state Department of Health made those determinations.