Michiganders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder can now get a card to use medical marijuana.
But as we hear from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher, state officials are warning veterans to make sure they won’t lose their federal benefits for using cannabis.
Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Steve Arwood has signed off on the change. But in his approval letter, he urges veterans to talk to a veterans’ affairs officer to make sure they won’t put their benefits at risk by becoming a medical marijuana patient.
David Brogren sits on a state panel that recommended the change. He says PTSD affects more Michiganders than many people realize. That includes veterans and civilians.
“There’s a lot of people who suffer in silence with PTSD,” he says. “Hopefully this will allow them to get some more help.”
This is the first mental health condition the state has approved for medical marijuana.