Medical marijuana lights up new debate

Marijuana is lighting up an all-new debate in Oregon — medical marijuana advocates are pushing for a new type of patient to be able to “smoke away” their pain.

“It’s an herbal remedy, and it’s been working for thousands of years for many different reasons,” said Tristan Reisfar, a representative for Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse (MAMA).

Supporters believe the drug can help people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and want it to be added to the list of qualifying conditions.

“They’re just tired of being in fear of not only the PTSD, but potential law enforcement encounters,” Reisfar said Tuesday.

But health officials were quick to point out the risks of treating extreme emotions with weed.

“Clearly if you’re getting intoxicated on marijuana, you’re not emotionally present,” said Rick Treleaven.

Treleaven has seen countless people deal with drug addictions at his job as executive director of Best Care Treatment Services. He worries that giving medical marijuana to PTSD sufferers will only create new problems for them.

“As a therapist, I sort of question that whole direction. I wouldn’t suggest people drink to deal with PTSD,” said Treleaven.

Medical marijuana clubs say many people with PTSD already have their card to treat other ailments approved by the state.

“We have to find other qualifying conditions to get them on with, so there’s a little bit of a trick going on to get them in here,” said Reisfar.

With a flood of new cases of PTSD seen among soldiers returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, advocates of the plan say the time to act is now.

“Let’s face it — the Vietnam war has been over for a long time, and we’re still dealing with patients who are having issues related to that war,” said Reisfar.

Two similar attempts to get PTSD on the list of Oregon conditions both failed. Since the program started more than a decade ago, only one new condition — rage associated with Alzheimer’s – has been added.