Medical marijuana helps people with autism ease their anxiety and depression, according a new study conducted by state officials in Minnesota.
The research, which involved 1,800 patients enrolled in the state’s medical marijuana program, is “one of the largest on record involving autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and medical cannabis patients,” officials said.
Of the 88 percent of patients who reported experiencing moderate to severe anxiety upon entering the program, more than half (57 percent) were able to reduce their anxiety by 30 percent or more within four months of beginning medical cannabis use, and 67 percent of those maintained that reduction for an additional four months, according to their answers on self-report surveys.
“Patients also reported similar improvements in disturbed sleep (37.3%), fatigue (34.4%), and depression (41.3%) scores,” the study said.
“In summary, a proportion of patients qualified for ASD report to have reached clinically meaningful improvements in various symptoms, some of which are commonly reported in this population such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances,” it concluded.
“Patients were able to achieve and maintain symptom relief after starting medical cannabis.”
The study also compiled quotes from patients and caregivers about the benefits they saw from medical marijuana:
“Medical cannabis
Read full article on Marijuana Moment
