On April 20, 2017, the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee in both the Colorado Senate and House officially signed off on advancing legislation that could eventually add Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition for Colorado’s medical marijuana program.
Passed by a 34 to 1 vote, Senate Bill 17-017 initially garnered strong support on the Senate floor during March. Approved by the House of Representatives on 4/20 after being slightly modified, SB17-017 will now head back for a final vote before the Senate. If passed again by the full Senate, SB17-017 would then require the signature of Gov. John Hickenlooper to be enacted.
Senate Bill 17-017 Modifications:
- Qualifying PTSD patients must receive their diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional who has been able to provide a “full assessment of the patient’s medical history.”
- The doctor/patient relationship must be a “bona fide physician-patient relationship.”
- Juvenile patients under the age of 18 must possess two diagnoses of PTSD from two independent physicians.
- Colorado’s parents will need to write a letter to the Department of Health, stating they consent to…