Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s caused by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and hyperarousal.

Nearly 20,000 RCMP and Canadian Forces members have been diagnosed with PTSD, however anyone can have PTSD; it’s estimated that 9.2% of all Canadians will experience PTSD in their lifetime.

Not only can medical cannabis be an effective treatment for PTSD, it also has fewer side effects when compared to conventional pharmaceutical treatments. Here’s an infographic comparing the side effects of the pharmaceutical and medical cannabis treatments for PTSD:

Infographic comparing the side effects of pharmaceutical treatment for PTSD and medical cannabis