The Compassionate Coalition

This is an excellent forum, but I don't see too many additions after 2009. I am currently living in Ohio after a clinical psych internship in North Dakota. A 5th yr doctoral candidate, my clinical and research interests revolve around American Indian mental health, PTSD, Complex Trauma, Intergenerational/Historical Trauma, Substance Abuse, and Individual,Family and Cultural Attachment issues. I have observed over the last 40 some odd years (I am 52-years-young...lol) how both friends and clients/patients have discovered the efficacy of Cannabis in tx'g their PTSD or Trauma. Anecdotal though it may be, my personal experiences involve a close friend, a Viet Force Recon Vet, PTSD and Complex Trauma, who after years of therapy/RX with the VA, discovered that Cannabis was the best Medicine for him. He has a beautiful wife and son and is a valued and contributing member of his local Indian Community. Another, a client, Afghan Vet, extreme complex trauma and PTSD, found after hitting the normal six month plateau in therapy, found that Cannabis helped his rage, his nightmares, startle reflex, etc. Yet, when I looked at the literature in this country I find very few scientific studies on Cannabis and PTSD. I have yet to access the Israeli studies. I have searched psychinfo etc ad nauseum and the paucity of literature on this particular research topic is ludicrous to say the least. If anyone can point me in the right direction, I can take it from there. I believe that there needs to be more studies oriented towards PTSD and Complex Trauma. I am really surprised that there are not more groups oriented around this topic. Would love to start one in my area in Ohio. AND support compassionate use in this state. Thank you for having me.
Doksha,
Ken
kchiancone@wi.edu