PTSD and Veterans: New York Vets Can Now Use Medical Marijuana

On Veterans Day, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a legislative package that allows individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to acquire and utilize medical marijuana as a treatment in the Empire State.

Effective immediately, the Gov. signed the legislation into law Saturday allowing patients with PTSD to participate in New York’s medical marijuana program.

Home to 838,000 veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spent $6.3 billion on Medicare expenditures during 2016. As of September 2013, the five New York counties with the largest military veteran populations include Suffolk 79,600; Erie, 65,000; Queens, 58,600; Nassau, 57,900, and Kings County with 53,100 veterans.

Moments ago I signed legislation adding PTSD to list of conditions that can be treated with medical marijuana.

And as a symbol of our appreciation, veterans in New York State can now get a special license plate that honors their service. pic.twitter.com/HDzdJ77Ida

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 11, 2017

Introduced by New York State Sen. Diane J. Savino (D-Staten Island), once S.5629 was signed into law on Veterans Day, the tenacious policymaker was elated.

“New…