--- title: FDA Clears MAPS Veteran PTSD Cannabis Study description: MAPS advances cannabis research for veterans with PTSD, launching a Phase 2 trial in 2026 after clearing FDA hurdles and securing a $12.9M grant. image: https://420intel.com/hubfs/jeff-w-HgTLP8doy18-unsplash.jpg --- [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) ### Press ESC to close [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) # FDA Clears MAPS Veteran PTSD Cannabis Study - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - [Medical Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - 2 September 2025 The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has taken a major step forward in advancing cannabis research for veterans with PTSD. Partnering with Changemark Research + Evaluation, a women-owned and women-led research firm, MAPS is launching its long-awaited Phase 2 trial on smoked cannabis for U.S. veterans. Known as MJP2, the trial is backed by a $12.9 million grant from the Michigan Veteran Marijuana Research Grant Program and will enroll 320 participants beginning in early 2026. Overcoming the FDA Hurdle This milestone follows MAPS’ resolution of a three-year standoff with the **FDA**. Since 2021, the study had been on partial clinical hold due to concerns raised by the agency. MAPS received five separate hold letters before finally gaining clearance in November 2024. The **FDA** ultimately approved the study’s design, which allows participants to smoke and self-titrate cannabis flower with THC potency levels that reflect real-world use. In a key concession, the **FDA** also approved vaporization in principle but requested more data on specific devices. However, one stipulation remains: participants must already have prior experience inhaling cannabis. This condition excludes cannabis-naïve individuals but ensures that enrolled veterans can tolerate the study protocols. Rick Doblin, Ph.D., founder and president of MAPS, noted that the organization refused to compromise on study design. “We spent years challenging the **FDA**, and now we have the right partner to carry it forward,” he said. Why This Matters for Veterans PTSD continues to be a major public health issue among veterans, with suicide rates significantly higher than in the general population. For many, cannabis has provided relief where traditional pharmaceuticals have failed. Principal investigator Sue Sisley, M.D., emphasized the urgency of the work, noting that countless veterans have already found cannabis beneficial in managing their PTSD symptoms. She highlighted that this **FDA**-approved study could provide the kind of controlled, clinical evidence that policymakers and medical professionals need. Changemark’s Role Changemark brings years of expertise in mental health and substance use trials, with experience in cannabis, MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine research. Its openly anti-prohibition stance aligns closely with MAPS’ mission. CEO Jill Fikowski explained that being selected by MAPS reflects both confidence in their scientific rigor and alignment in values. Looking Ahead With site selection and recruitment already underway, the trial will begin enrolling in Michigan and two additional states in early 2026. For MAPS, this marks a return to cannabis research after years of focusing on psychedelics. For veterans, the trial represents hope and with the **FDA** finally granting approval, it could deliver the long-awaited data needed to change lives.   [by Hightimes](https://hightimes.com/health/after-fda-fight-maps-launches-cannabis-ptsd-study-for-veterans/) [Medical Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/medical-cannabis-news) ![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=200&height=200&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) #### [Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) At 420 Intel, we cover cannabis legalization news throughout the world, offer reliable information for cannabis business owners, detail technological advances that impact the marijuana industry, cover marijuana rallies from across the globe, and everything in between. - - - [Cannabis Laws](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-laws) [![Perrysburg Debates Marijuana Moratorium](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ryan-lange-vq8kSTs62b4-unsplash.jpg?width=550&height=395&name=ryan-lange-vq8kSTs62b4-unsplash.jpg)](https://420intel.com/blog/perrysburg-debates-marijuana-moratorium) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 8 August 2025 #### [Perrysburg Debates Marijuana Moratorium](https://420intel.com/blog/perrysburg-debates-marijuana-moratorium) Perrysburg officials have decided that a final decision on cannabis-related businesses within city... [Cannabis Laws](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-laws) [![Deputies Seize $3,920 And 149 THC Vapes In Car Bust](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mika-baumeister-UW4aWg0_1dM-unsplash.jpg?width=550&height=395&name=mika-baumeister-UW4aWg0_1dM-unsplash.jpg)](https://420intel.com/blog/deputies-seize-3920-and-149-thc-vapes-in-car-bust) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 12 October 2025 #### [Deputies Seize $3,920 And 149 THC Vapes In Car Bust](https://420intel.com/blog/deputies-seize-3920-and-149-thc-vapes-in-car-bust) ### Minnesota Man Sentenced After Deputies Seize 149 THC Vapes in Becker County A Minnesota man has... [Recreational Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) [![Cannabis with a street value of £8.7m seized](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20large%2c%20dimly%20lit%20room%20filled%20with%20rows%20of%20lush%20green%20cannabis%20plants%2c%20their%20leaves%20vibrant%20and%20healthy%20under%20bright%20grow%20lights.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20depicts%20a%20large%2c%20dimly%20lit%20room%20filled%20with%20rows%20of%20lush%20green%20cannabis%20plants%2c%20their%20leaves%20vibrant%20and%20healthy%20under%20bright%20grow%20lights.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/cannabis-with-a-street-value-of-8.7m-seized) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 7 March 2025 #### [Cannabis with a street value of £8.7m seized](https://420intel.com/blog/cannabis-with-a-street-value-of-8.7m-seized) Thousands of cannabis plants with an estimated value of more than £8.7m have been seized in a... - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) Back to Top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Buzz", "url" : "https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz" }, "dateModified" : "2025-10-17T20:24:49.692Z", "datePublished" : "2025-09-02T10:03:13.000Z", "headline" : "FDA Clears MAPS Veteran PTSD Cannabis Study", "image" : [ "https://420intel.com/hubfs/jeff-w-HgTLP8doy18-unsplash.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://420intel.com/blog/fda-clears-maps-veteran-ptsd-cannabis-study", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://420intel.com/hubfs/Asset%2016.png" }, "name" : "420 Intel" } } ```