Good summary.

The literature goes back and forth on this, but the only real criticism I can see is that medical marijuana can be used as a substitute for therapy or long-term coping skills which require self-discipline. In other words, it has abuse potential, like any other drug that people with posttraumatic stress disorder might have access to. Which is a silly reason to keep it out of the hands of PTSD patients who find that it helps them to sleep at night, keep their job, stay physically active, hang out with friends, go to therapy, join a support group, and all those other things we have trouble with when the anxiety flares up.

They put me on Klonopin for two years. You do not want to go through benzo withdrawal. For anyone who isn't familiar with PTSD treatment, the medications only treat the symptoms. Valium: no more panic attacks or hypervigilance because you're pretty much a zombie. Sleeping pills: same deal. SSRIs are usually the first line of defense, meant to treat the depression and anxiety, followed by a mood stabilizer to deal with the emotional highs and lows brought on by the SSRIs. These are not safe drugs.

Smoking a joint helps me to calm down enough to stay in contact with people. It isn't emotionally numbing. It just takes care of the runaway adrenaline so that I can think clearly without the constant "You are going to die" feeling getting in the way. I feel like I'm here right now in the present, not stuck in the past. If you've ever been through depression, you know how every negative thing that's ever happened to you and every negative thought you've ever had about yourself hits you at once? PTSD paralyzes you like that.

Medical MJ is legal here... technically... but finding a doctor who is willing to seriously consider it as a treatment option is tough. (Then again, maybe it's my own fault. I avoid everything. )