Marijuana vs PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Pain

Marijuana vs. PTSD, Depression,

Anxiety and Pain:
Global evidence mounting to support cannabinoids
efficacy to treat a myriad of other symptoms too.

By Daniel R. Gaita, MA, LMSW

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 Marijuana vs PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Pain

"IT WAS LIKE I WAS GIVEN

MY LIFE, FAMILY, AFFECT,
AND POSITIVE STATE-OF-
MIND BACK."

With over thirty States in

American and entire
nations now legalizing
Medical Marijuana (MM)
or Marijuana in general,
our United States Armed
Forces veterans have
taken part in perhaps the
greatest groundbreaking
medical experiment since
the advent of penicillin.
Despite misguided
objections from powerful
industries and political
groups, the efficacy of this
plant to treat a wide range of health maladies has become undeniable. Marijuana is
medicine, it works better than most pills, and has reduced opioid use and dependency.
It has also exposed the dysfunction of politics, the failure of our FDA, and the
manipulation of many within the medical community.

"PENICILLIN SAT ON MY SHELF FOR TWELVE YEARS WHILE I WAS CALLED A QUACK. I
CAN ONLY THINK OF THE THOUSANDS WHO DIED NEEDLESSLY BECAUSE MY PEERS
WOULD NOT USE MY DISCOVERY." - DR. ALEXANDER PAUL FLEMING

Decades of pain management through the VA, countless psychologists, and

experimental dosages of various FDA approved medications to treat symptoms of
PTSD, pain, anxiety and depression with little to show but more veteran suicides,
spikes in anxiety, depression, and an opioid epidemic. That was, until Medical
Marijuana (MM) became accessible. Now incoming data is showing how this plant,
which can be grown in most climates, has reduced opioid related deaths, stopped
many types of seizures, fights cancer, reduces stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD and a
wide range of other symptoms.

"THE U.S. MEDICAL SYSTEM KILLS 225,000 PEOPLE EVERY YEAR. THAT'S 2.25 MILLION
KILLINGS PER DECADE." - DR. BARBARA STARFIELD,

The social benefits of legalized marijuana has also demonstrated promising results.
Reductions in violent crime, burglary, and rape are shown in states where access is
legal (DOJ, 2018; Morris, TenEyck, Barnes & Kovandzic, 2014; Kepple & Freisther,
2012; Yu-Wei & Townsend, 2018). And finally, with the most recent advance copy of the
World Health Organizations (WHO) Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Pre-Review
(WHO, 2019) it would appear that Marijuana is now headed for a global reclassification

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 Marijuana vs PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Pain

from that of a dangerous and mind altering drug to a critically important plant with a
wide range of medical uses and social value.

The shift of American and global opinion in support of marijuana has also exposed the
dysfunction of politics and social policies. Think of all those incarcerated for marijuana
related "crimes". The disproportionate impact in poorer communities. "Laws" which
clearly restrict our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness under the guise of
government protection, health and safety. We've watched the interposition of some
elected leaders that allow nullification of the research, data, and evidence to halt
needed legislation.

The time for allowing calculated and self-serving malicious intent to stifle the truth
under the guise of public safety has expired. We are now a "United States" with more
than sixty-percent having laws allowing the distribution and utilization of this plant.
Laws that currently force licensed professionals to fear losing their jobs. Forcing our
combat veterans to overdose on opioids and other meds to treat pain and PTSD.
Forcing parents to move or cross state borders to attain medication for themselves or
their children.

For decades, the objectors to this plant have said "There is just not enough research to
justify the legal reclassification of marijuana" Well, now there is and here is some more.

ABSTRACT
On April 20th, 2018 Operation Vet Fit conducted a first-of-its-kind marijuana research
study to investigate if marijuana demonstrates measurable medicinal values in
outcomes on PTSD, depression, anxiety and pain amongst US Military veterans.

BACKGROUND

Marijuana is still Federally classified as a Schedule 1 drug based on its designation of

having, "no medical use and a high potential for abuse". Further, that marijuana under
Schedule 1 classification is considered as dangerous as: "heroin, lysergic acid
diethylamide (LSD), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and
peyote" (DEA).

Moreover, marijuana's classification also identifies it as more dangerous than: "Vicodin,

cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine
(Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, Ritalin, Tylenol with
codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone, Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Darvocet,
Valium, Ativan, Talwin, Ambien, and Tramadol" (DEA).

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 Marijuana vs PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Pain

Marijuana's Schedule 1 classification also makes medical research elusive, if not

impossible due to institutional fears of shut-down, loss of licensure, defunding and
criminal prosecution. Such concerns have created barriers to research making data on
the plant's medical impact hard to attain. This lack of available and credible data has
stifled lawmakers' attempts to reclassify the plant as medicine rather than a dangerous
and addictive drug. However, the WHO has recently (WHO, 2019) revisited recent
research and global reclassification of this plant is now visible on the near horizon.
Thus Federal reclassification would logically follow despite political interference from
misguided legislators and opposing interests (Pharmaceuticals, Prison Industrial
Complex etc.)

Currently, twenty veterans commit suicide daily. And while the VA's current "best
practices" for pain management and PTSD include prescribing a cocktail of
medications, including dangerous opioids that are highly addictive, veterans living in
states with medical marijuana laws are coming forward, sharing their stories of freeing
themselves from opioids by choosing medical marijuana as the alternative.

The timing of this study comes as the President of the United States, Donald Trump,
has declared the opioid overdose and addiction epidemic a national emergency.

The goal of our agency's research herein is to measure marijuana's impact on pain,
anxiety and depression. To do so we will be utilizing our combat veteran population
living in states where they are legally able to attain medical marijuana. Should this
study infer a medical benefit, further research amongst our more highly funded and
independent institutions can and should follow.

METHOD

Participants
Thirty-two veteran members of the United
States Armed Forces were recruited via social
media. Veteran status was verified via
confidential submission of participants' DD214
(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
Duty) with names and Social Security numbers
omitted. Of the thirty-two original registrants,
ten did not submit a copy of their DD214
making them ineligible to participate in this
study.

As a result, twenty-two verified US Armed

Forces Veterans were provided with direct
website links to complete pre and post

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 Marijuana vs PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Pain

measures (BDI, BAI, Pain Scale), just

prior to and following their marijuana
utilization.

Of those twenty-two provided the web

links to the anonymous pre and post
surveys, only eleven completed the pre
measures. Of them, ten completed the
post measures.

The identities of those completing the

measures remained anonymous
throughout and following the study
conclusion. Only those who provided a
copy of their DD214 were granted
website links and password access to
the measures for completion.

Additionally, we collected data on each

participant's current VA disability rating,
as well as their VA disability rating for PTSD and total number of years they have been
utilizing marijuana to treat their symptoms.

Population Demographics

Of the 22 initial participants, 21 were

male. Average age was 38 with a
(SD=10.58). Ages ranged from 25-62
years. Nine of the participants were
engaged by or engaged the enemy in
combat (Combat Action). Of those nine,
average combat theatre exposure was 14
months (SD= 10.07) with 33 months in
theatre being the lengthiest observed
participant. Eleven participants served in
a combat theatre but did not engage in
combat action. Average population
deployment time total was 13 months
(SD=15.11). Five subjects never
deployed. Of those who did deploy,
average deployment time total was 17
months (SD=15.35). The subject with the
lengthiest deployment history served 59
months overseas. Average rank of all
participants was E4 (SD=1.5), with only enlisted veterans making up the total

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 Marijuana vs PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Pain

population. All but one of the participants had a VA disability rating. Average VA
disability rating of the population group was 70% (SD 30.01) with 73% having a VA
diagnosis and rating for PTSD. No officers participated in this study. Six of the
participants served in Iraq, five served in Afghanistan, two in Somalia, and one in the
Gulf War.

Measures Used:

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(PTSD)

PTSD Rating was based on veterans' VA

determination of severity as provided by
the participant. VA ratings for PTSD
require exhaustive evaluations using both
objective and subjective measures. The
reliability of a VA rating is far superior
than requiring the the veteran to complete
a separate individual subjective
questionnaire. For these reasons we are
avoiding the use of additional PTSD
measures.

Depression

Was measured using the Beck's

Depression Inventory (BDI) taken prior to
and following utilization of medical
marijuana. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). A 21-item, self-report rating inventory
that measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression (Beck, et al., 1961).
Internal consistency for the BDI ranges from .73 to .92 with a mean of .86. (Beck, Steer,
& Garbin, 1988). The BDI demonstrates high internal consistency, with alpha
coefficients of .86 and .81 for psychiatric and non-psychiatric populations respectively
(Beck et al., 1988).

Anxiety

Was measured using the Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) taken prior to and following
ingestion of medical marijuana. The BAI is A 21-question multiple-choice self-report
inventory that is used for measuring the severity of anxiety in children and adults. The
questions used in this measure ask about common symptoms of anxiety that the
subject has had during the past week. Several studies have found the Beck's Anxiety
Inventory to be an accurate measure of anxiety symptoms in children and adults
(Leyfer, Ruberg, & Woodruff-Borden, 2006 ). The Beck's Anxiety Inventory is a well

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 Marijuana vs PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Pain

accepted self-report measure of anxiety in adults and adolescents for use in both
clinical and research settings (Groth-Marnat, 1990). The BAI is psychometrically sound.
Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) ranges from .92 to .94 for adults and test-retest
(one week interval) reliability is .75 (Beck Epstein, Brown & Steer 1988).

Pain

Was measured utilizing the

Universal Pain Assessment Tool
below taken prior to and
following ingestion of medical
marijuana. The Universal Pain
Assessment Tool (UPAT)
combines the advantages of
four types of pain assessment
instruments – Visual Analogue
Scale, adjective scales, Numerical
Rating Scales (NRS) and Faces Scales. The Universal Pain Assessment Tool aims to
describe completely the individual's pain experience. The combination of NRS, verbal
description, association between pain and facial expression and individual threshold of
pain makes this instrument usable in all age groups (Hockenberry, Wilson, Wilkenstein
& Wong, 2005; Hesselgard, Larsson, Romner, Strömblad &, Reinstrup, 2007; Edelen &
Saliba, 2010).

RESULTS
Marijuana utilization
amongst the
population sample
in this study
demonstrated
significant
reductions in pain,
anxiety and
depression for
100% of the
participants.
Graphical results of
pre and post
marijuana utilization
amongst our
population sample
are provided herein.

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 Marijuana vs PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Pain

Depression

Pre marijuana utilization

scores for depression in
the population sample
demonstrated a mean
of 24.18 n=11;
(SD=13.98) placing the
population sample,
prior to using
marijuana, within the
second highest
depression category of
"Moderate
Depression" (Beck et
al., 1988). While post
marijuana usage
reduced depression
scores nearly two-
thirds.

Anxiety
Marijuana utilization scores for anxiety in the population sample demonstrated a mean
of 23 (n=11); (SD=17.29) placing the population sample, prior to using marijuana, within
the category of "Moderate Anxiety"(Beck Epstein, Brown & Steer 1988). While post
marijuana usage reduced the anxiety scores nearly seventy-five percent.

Pain
Pre marijuana utilization scores for pain in the population sample demonstrated a mean
of 4.91 n=11; (SD=2.23) placing the population sample, prior to using marijuana, within
the "Moderate Pain" category. While post marijuana usage reduced pain scores
seventy percent

DISCUSSION
The results contained herein are promising for supporters of medical marijuana, yet
must also be weighed within the constraints of the population sample size. That said,
future research involving larger population samples can now be obtained by utilizing
our study methods to acquire data from all citizens that currently rely on medical
marijuana in states where it is legal to obtain.

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 Marijuana vs PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Pain

The results contained in this anonymous study are a call to action to all institutions
fearful of conducting this type of research within the confines and restrictions of their
institutions. Such fear has ultimately retarded research. Such research dysfunction due
to sociopolitical obstructions continue to disproportionally impact lower income
communities. Moreover, prolonging the suffering being incurred by trusting patients of
medical doctors that are routinely prescribing a myriad of medications to treat pain,
depression and anxiety. Such medications that are currently legal to prescribe have
resulted in an opioid and heroine epidemic that might arguably be halted via legal
access and utilization of marijuana to treat similar, as well as a growing number of other
symptoms.

This study has been conducted on the heels of United States President, Donald Trump
declaring an opioid crisis in America. Further, the President has implored those of us in
the fields of medicine, mental health, research and social work to submit comments to
the World Health Organization specific to marijuana's classification as a dangerous
drug. We have, and it appears the WHO has listened.

With a spotlight now squarely in the faces of its' ill-advised objectors. It would appear
the question of marijuana as a Constitutionally legal plant may be as important of a
social issue today as was ending slavery, segregation, and allowing women to vote.
Now it is up to Congress to act, hopefully having learned the lessons of then.

Such steps will eventually result in political debates within the halls of the US Congress
which will inevitably be delayed, tabled and put off at the cost of American lives,
families and strain within our social service and prison systems. Such a realization
should now weigh heavily on the consciousness of our law makers. Their (US
Congressional) delay on this matter is resulting in more deaths per year due to opioid
overdoses than all of America's war dead since 1965.

To reiterate, according to the CDC, opioids were involved in 42,249 deaths in 2016
alone. To put this into truer perspective, the number of opioid related deaths in America
in 2016 is nearly six times greater than all of Americas war dead since September 11th,
2001 and nearly equal to all of our war dead from 1965 to present.

Meanwhile, research continues to compile studies such as this whereby marijuana

appears to not only have medical value, but may very well be the plant that ends the
opioid crisis, reduces suicides, violent crime, and rape. Recognizing the emerging
research, it appears rather obvious that marijuana is currently amongst the wrong
classification of drugs and deserves to be rescheduled and researched in a more
stable, safe and clinical environment. Something that simply can not occur as it stands
as a Schedule 1 drug.

When the reclassification does occur, because it will, research will need to look at this
plant in all of its many facets specific to genetic variances, strains, concentrations, and
ratios of each. Future studies will assist the medical community in addressing the
question of dosage, timing and respective impact on symptoms.

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About the Author:

Daniel R. Gaita, MA, LMSW, a United

States Marine turned veterans' advocate.

He is the Founder of Operation Vet Fit, a
501C(3), combat veteran advocacy agency
recognized by the Department of Veterans
Affairs Mental Health Services for his
ground breaking research on veteran
suicide causes and solutions. He is a South
Carolina Licensed Social Worker
specializing in Mental Health and Military
Families; a volunteer research assistant at
the Citadel, inducted into the Phi Alpha
Honor Society while a graduate student at
the University of Southern California, also a
Presidential Management Fellowship
Finalist; a participant in Military Clinical
Skills Training and research conducted
through the Center for Innovation and
Research on Veterans and Military Families.
Dan earned his Bachelors in

Psychology from combined studies at the University of Connecticut and Western

Connecticut

State University, His first Masters degree in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga

University with a concentration in Servant Leadership. He later completed his second
Masters degree in Social Work from combined studies at Fordham University and the
University of Souther California.

Contact: dan@operationvetfit.org

www.operationvetfit.org

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