IDF TO TREAT SHELL SHOCK WITH CANNABIS

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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.


Source: Jerusalem Post (Israel)