Medical Cannabis for Texas Veterans 

Medical Cannabis for Texas Veterans 
Medical Cannabis for Texas Veterans 

November 11th is Veterans Day, a time when we honor and celebrate those who have courageously served in the military. As of October 2022, an estimated 1,408,464 veterans live in Texas – the most out of any state in the country. Veterans are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving in the military and treatment often includes psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals. Under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, medical cannabis is legal for PTSD. Read more about medical cannabis for PTSD below.  

What is PTSD? 

PTSD is a psychobiological mental health condition that can affect anyone who has experienced a severe accident, combat-related trauma, assault or abuse, an unexpected death of a loved one and more. The symptoms of PTSD vary from person to person and may include symptoms such as: 

  • Anxiety 
  • Flashbacks 
  • Nightmares and night terrors 
  • Depression 
  • Insomnia 
  • Intrusive thoughts or images 
  • Physical sensations such as pain, sweating, or nausea 

Medical Cannabis for PTSD Symptom Relief  

Medical cannabis is a proven effective treatment for patients living with PTSD. In 2021, a clinical evaluation of veterans living with PTSD was conducted by board-certified family medicine physician and head of Texas Cannabis Clinic, Dr. Matthew Brimberry. The evaluation was performed to determine if medical cannabis is beneficial in alleviating symptoms and pharmaceutical dependency for Texas veterans living with PTSD. 

The patients in the focus group sampled medical cannabis gummy, lozenge and tincture products from Texas Original at various doses of THC and CBD as prescribed by their physician. A survey released following the focus group’s completion reported that patients experienced a quick onset of the products and reported unanimous relief from their PTSD symptoms.  

In addition to the survey, Dr. Brimberry evaluated the focus group using an entrance and exit PCL-5 questionnaire. This 20-item self-reporting measure assessed the 20 clinical symptoms of PTSD listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Dr. Brimberry’s assessment noted that each patient tolerated the medical cannabis medicine well and no patient discontinued treatment due to unwanted side effects.  

Key findings from the evaluation also included: 

  • Overall, patients’ PTSD symptoms were reduced by 47% from an initial PCL-5 mean score of 54.3 to 28.6 after 90 days. 93% of patients experienced decreased symptom severity, while 86% of the group showed a clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms. 
  • At the end of the 90-day focus group, 71% of the group achieved PTSD remission—defined as a PCL-5 score of less than 33—while using Texas Original medical cannabis products. 
Medical cannabis for PTSD

Get a Medical Cannabis Prescription

Patients can get a medical prescription in Texas through a registered physician. At Texas Original, all military active duty, reserves, retirees and veterans receive 20% off their medication. Get your medical cannabis prescription today by clicking below.   

References 

Duffin, Erin, “U.S. Veterans, by State 2021.” Statista, 5 Oct. 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/250329/number-of-us-veterans-by-state/.  

National Institute of Mental Health, “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd#part_145375

 “PTSD Patients in TXOG FOCUS Group Unanimously Report Symptom Relief through Medical Cannabis.” Business Wire, 18 Jan. 2022, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220118005173/en/PTSD-Patients-in-TXOG-Focus-Group-Unanimously-Report-Symptom-Relief-Through-Medical-Cannabis.  

“TXOG's PTSD Focus Group Shows 71% of Patients Achieved PTSD Remission with Medical Cannabis.” Business Wire, 8 Mar. 2022, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220308005457/en/TXOG%E2%80%99s-PTSD-Focus-Group-Shows-71-of-Patients-Achieved-PTSD-Remission-with-Medical-Cannabis.  

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “VA.gov: Veterans Affairs.” PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), 24 Sept. 2018, https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/adult-sr/ptsd-checklist.asp.