Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as PTSD, can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It can affect veterans, first responders, survivors of violence or accidents, and people who have experienced many other forms of trauma.
PTSD is more than simply remembering a difficult experience. Symptoms can persist for months or years and may interfere with sleep, relationships, employment, and everyday life.
Common symptoms may include intrusive memories or flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, heightened alertness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, anxiety, problems concentrating, and changes in mood or emotional responses.
For some people, these symptoms can significantly affect quality of life.
PTSD Is a Qualifying Condition in Florida
Florida specifically recognizes post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying medical condition under the state’s medical marijuana law, Florida Statute §381.986.
That does not mean medical marijuana is automatically appropriate for every person diagnosed with PTSD. Florida law requires a qualified physician to evaluate the patient, review the patient’s medical history, diagnose a qualifying condition, and determine whether the potential benefits of medical marijuana are likely to outweigh the potential health risks for that individual patient.
Why Is Cannabis Being Studied for PTSD?
Interest in cannabis and PTSD has grown in part because some patients report using cannabis to manage symptoms such as anxiety, disturbed sleep, nightmares, and hyperarousal.
Cannabis contains numerous biologically active compounds, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These compounds interact, directly or indirectly, with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is involved in processes including mood, memory, stress responses, sleep, and pain.
Patient experiences, however, are not the same thing as clinical proof—and researchers are still trying to determine whether cannabis can provide meaningful benefits for PTSD, which cannabinoids might be useful, at what doses, and for which patients.
What Do the Studies Tell Us?
One of the most important clinical studies was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 80 military veterans with PTSD, published in PLOS ONE in 2021.
Researchers compared three preparations of smoked cannabis—high THC, high CBD, and a combination of THC and CBD—with placebo. Participants in all groups experienced improvements in PTSD symptoms during the initial three-week treatment period. However, none of the active cannabis preparations produced a statistically significant improvement over placebo during the primary stage of the trial. The researchers concluded that larger and better-controlled studies were needed.
A systematic review published in 2021 examined one randomized controlled trial and 10 observational studies involving 4,672 participants. Some observational studies associated cannabis use with reductions in PTSD symptoms and improvements in quality of life. However, the authors emphasized that much of the evidence was low quality and at high risk of bias. Some participants also experienced worsening PTSD symptoms.
A more recent systematic review reached similarly mixed conclusions. Among studies examining overall PTSD symptoms in people without cannabis use disorder, five suggested benefit while five suggested either no effect or worsening symptoms. The researchers concluded that the available evidence did not demonstrate major overall benefits and that additional experimental studies were necessary.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also notes that research specifically examining cannabis for PTSD remains limited. A small study involving the synthetic cannabinoid nabilone found improvement in PTSD-related nightmares compared with placebo, but observational cannabis studies have not provided clear evidence that cannabis is either beneficial or harmful for PTSD overall.
Importantly, an updated living systematic review continued to characterize the evidence as uncertain, while noting that additional clinical trials are underway.
Understanding the Potential Risks
Medical cannabis can affect people differently. THC-containing products can produce side effects including dizziness, impaired attention and memory, anxiety, changes in perception, and impaired reaction time. Cannabis use can also lead to cannabis use disorder in some individuals. These considerations may be particularly important for people already experiencing anxiety, mood disturbances, or substance-use problems.
For that reason, patients should discuss their symptoms, medications, medical history, mental-health history, and cannabis experience openly with their healthcare providers.
It is also important to understand the distinction between qualifying for Florida’s medical marijuana program and proving that cannabis treats PTSD. Florida recognizes PTSD as a qualifying condition, but the scientific evidence regarding cannabis as a PTSD treatment remains inconclusive.
In fact, the current VA/Department of Defense clinical practice guideline recommends against using cannabis or cannabis derivatives specifically as a treatment for PTSD, citing the lack of sufficiently rigorous clinical trials and concerns about potential adverse effects.
Established PTSD treatments, including trauma-focused psychotherapies and certain medications, therefore remain important treatment options and should not be discontinued or replaced without consultation with an appropriate healthcare professional.
An Individualized Conversation Matters
PTSD does not look exactly the same in every patient. Neither does an individual’s response to cannabis.
A physician evaluation provides an opportunity to discuss the patient’s diagnosis, symptoms, previous treatments, medications, potential benefits and risks, and whether participation in Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry may be appropriate.
At Med Leaf, our goal is to provide patients with professional evaluations and clear information so they can have an informed conversation about medical marijuana and their individual circumstances.
If you have been diagnosed with PTSD and would like to learn whether you may qualify for Florida’s medical marijuana program, contact Med Leaf to schedule a medical marijuana evaluation or renewal appointment.
Sources
Florida Statute §381.986 — Medical Use of Marijuana: Florida Legislature
Bonn-Miller et al., The Short-Term Impact of 3 Smoked Cannabis Preparations Versus Placebo on PTSD Symptoms, PLOS ONE (2021): Read the study
Rehman et al., Cannabis in the Management of PTSD: A Systematic Review (2021): Read the systematic review
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Cannabis and Cannabinoids: NCCIH research overview
VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD: VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline
Medical Disclaimer
This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition and should not be used as a substitute for evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Medical marijuana may not be appropriate for every patient and may cause side effects or interact with medications or other treatments. Patients should consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding their individual medical circumstances and should not discontinue or change prescribed medications or PTSD treatment without consulting their treating healthcare provider.