Marijuana Prevents Suicides

In 2010, 38 thousand people committed suicide. About seven thousand were veterans.

U.S. soldier on patrol in Kabul - by Tim King Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, OR) - The Oregonian and and The New York Times both had headlines, May 3, 2013, 'Suicides Surge in United States and Oregon'.

I believe military PTSD victims have the highest rate but there are far more civilians in that same age group. For veterans, it is about 20 suicides per day, what that amounts to per thousand patients is the different kind of statistic that I am familiar with. The newspaper articles give their statistics as so many per thousand. They indicate that currently, the suicide rate for the middle aged, (35-64) is 18 per thousand each year, that age group is the highest rate. The overall rate for the U.S. is 14 per thousand per year.

I know more about the military veterans because I had more than 1,000 in my total population of 5,000 patients. Considering that the military veterans represent only about 1% of the population, with my 20% being veterans, this makes a good study group.

For military veterans, PTSD, from mild to severe, is about 20% of the group. This means 600 thousand PTSD victims. The actual figure is probably higher. Most are not being treated by the VA and they are using a number of different therapies. Many who live in states where it is legal, have reverted to marijuana. But many states, including Oregon, will not accept PTSD for a permit. New Mexico does allow Marijuana for PTSD Veterans. In New Mexico, 50% of the permit holders are veterans.

I started seeing military PTSD veterans about as soon as Oregon's medical marijuana law became effective. But PTSD is not acceptable in Oregon. Most veterans had physical wounds, making them eligible for a permit.

I wrote my first article on this subject, February 13, 2009, 'Marijuana Vs Antidepressants for PTSD'. The VA uses these drugs by the ton and while deadly, they are no more effective than sugar pills, but usually worse and often are used for suicide. That article has had 868 Facebook recommends, indicating strong interest.

My second article, 'Medical Marijuana Prevents PTSD Suicides!', was published Sept 22 2012., has 581 FB recommends.

My latest article on this subject, from March 25 2013, 'PTSD/Depression and Anguish: Marijuana Vs. Many Fake Dangerous Drugs' had 340 recommends.

This gets us to the current newspaper articles, in which military suicides are not even mentioned!

When you are 50, looking for a job, it can be fruitless. And it must be getting as bad for those even in their 40's because the bright young smart alecks are striving to get into the workplace before it is too late.

The unemployed are now in desperate situations with no good way out and no resources. Anguish overtakes them and depression may be one of the symptoms for PTSD, etc.

There are about 19 states with legal marijuana, which represents more than 50% of the U.S. population. And speaking of those 19 states, those people can use this valuable medicine, marijuana. Another option is alcoholism and death.

WHY DON'T WE REVISE OUR INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS. THEY PROBABLY WON'T.

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Anonymous January 22, 2016 12:23 pm (Pacific time)

Gets me through each day 😂😂😂

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Anonymous August 13, 2015 9:32 am (Pacific time)

"Oregon, will not accept PTSD for a permit." There's a problem there it's Dead wrong!!

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Edwina Neilan April 5, 2014 12:17 pm (Pacific time)

Doesn't marijuana also decrease fertility in people? The drug of the future!

No, that is a wives tale, glad to be able to clue you in!

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Joel January 29, 2014 6:30 pm (Pacific time)

The suicide rate is about 14 per 100,000 each year, not 14 per 1,000 each year as the article states. (Still far too many.) I do agree with the premise of the article, even though I never have used marijuana and never plan to.

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Anonymous November 13, 2013 5:12 pm (Pacific time)

Ganja 4 PTSD & Depression http://endingcannabisprohibition.yuku.com/topic/1632 Cannabis, the Importance of Forgetting http://endingcannabisprohibition.yuku.com/topic/1620

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softshell May 29, 2013 1:09 pm (Pacific time)

It has saved my life many times. It's the only thing that takes away the suicidal thoughts and the death wish for me.

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Anonymous May 21, 2013 5:00 pm (Pacific time)

PTSD is given so frequently as diagnosis so that vets will get medical marijuana, then govt can deny them right to bear arms. Don't fall for it. Say you feel fine, then get medical marijuana on the street, where you're safer from govt.

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Dr. Phil 'Dogface' Leveque to Anon: May 7, 2013 12:39 pm (Pacific time)

Sorry to disagree, but the bottom line IS PTSD which was caused by too many tours and too much combat stress.

The generals are to blame for this, not Obama, they tell him what is required, he believes them!

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Anonymous May 3, 2013 2:11 pm (Pacific time)

I agree with Phil, but the bottom line here is not PTSD, its why the U.S. Government would send these troops on so many tours, knowing that it would cause them mental harm, and then not giving them help, instead, they condemn them and take their guns away. These are the questions. I talked to an Iraq veteran the other day, one of many I talk to. He was fine, but realizes, as so many of his buddies realize, they dont know what they are fighting for. Then, when they look into it, they find they were dupped. Thus, the obama admin condemning veterans. Your work is good Dr Phil, and I cant say a bad word against ya, but search deeper.

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