Pubdate: Thu, 05 Aug 2004
Source: Jerusalem Post (Israel)
Copyright: 2004 The Jerusalem Post
Contact: http://info.jpost.com/C002/Services/Feedback/editors.html
Website: http://www.jpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/516
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

IDF TO TREAT SHELL SHOCK WITH CANNABIS

The IDF will soon begin using cannabis to treat soldiers suffering from 
combat stress, the military said Wednesday.

An army statement said the military medical corps and the Hebrew University 
of Jerusalem would begin treating victims of post-traumatic stress - 
commonly known as shell shock - with THC, the active ingredient in the 
cannabis plant. It said the treatment would begin on an experimental basis. 
"The use of THC as part of the treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder 
was approved by military and civilian committees relevant to the subject," 
the statement said.

An IDF spokesman said treatment would be given to both conscript soldiers 
and reservists.

Since September 2000, the Israeli military has been conducting day to day 
operations against the Palestinian terror infrastructure in the West Bank 
and the Gaza Strip.

During that time many soldiers have been treated for combat stress 
following service at military checkpoints and in military operations. The 
IDF continues to ban the use of all drugs on a leisure basis, including 
cannabis derivatives marijuana and hashish. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake