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Board rejects petition on PTSD medical pot removal

A petition aimed at removing post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifier for medical marijuana in New Mexico has been rejected.

The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Advisory Board unanimously ruled Wednesday to reject the petition by an Albuquerque psychiatrist who said there was a lack of scientific evidence proving medical marijuana helped those with PTSD.

The board voted 7-0 to recommend that interim Health Secretary Brad McGrath reject the petition despite the claims.

About 3,300 New Mexicans used a PTSD diagnosis to qualify for a license.

State law allows citizens to petition the board to add or delete medical conditions that qualify patients for a medical marijuana license.

About 8,000 New Mexicans have licenses from the New Mexico Department of Health that allows them to purchase medical marijuana from nonprofit growers.