Liar for Jesus: Texas Senator Donna Campbell successfully argued against including survivors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a medical marijuana bill by fabricating data from a non-existent study.

According to reports, Campbell made the claim that a scientific study had found a correlation between veteran suicide and marijuana use. However, no such study exists, and her claim was false. Yet by manipulating her colleagues with her false data, Campbell was able to deny patients with PTSD access to medical marijuana.

During a debate in the Texas Senate over the medical marijuana legislation, Campbell argued against including PTSD in the bill. She justified her opposition by making the following claim:

A study was done, a post-mortem, so a retrospective study done, looking at autopsies and drug levels, what drugs were in the blood of veterans that committed suicide, and 70 percent had THC.

The statement proved pivotal in denying medical marijuana for survivors of PTSD.

Reporting on Campbell’s statement, PolitiFact rated Campbell’s bogus study results as “Pants on Fire,” noting:

The statement is not accurate and makes a ridiculous claim.

PolitiFact reports:

Campbell suggested that cannabis plays a role in suicide among veterans, claiming that a study showed 70 percent of veterans who committed suicide had THC in their body. But the study Campbell cited doesn’t seem to exist. Some research does exist on this topic, but experts questioned the validity of drawing a conclusion about the connection between marijuana use and suicide generally — let alone among veterans. We rate this claim Pants on Fire.

Some concerned citizens complained about Campbell’s deception via the politician’s Facebook page. For example:

Why did you lie to prevent veterans from getting proven help with PTSD? Why did you lie about a report that now prevents EVERY VETERAN in Texas from accessing a proven treatment for PTSD? Why would you lie about something like that? Why? I thought your mandate is to ease the sufferings of our veterans? How will you explain this to veterans suffering from PTSD?

And:

Why did you lie about this study and deprive veterans with PTSD from the medication they need?

Campbell, who is obviously willing to fabricate data to prevent PTSD sufferers from receiving proper medical treatment, is also a deeply religious woman who frequently makes social media posts asking for prayers and proclaiming the virtues of her Christian faith.

However, it seems apparent that honesty is not a prerequisite for Campbell’s version of Christianity.

Bottom line: Texas Senator Donna Campbell is caught fabricating data from a non-existent study to deny survivors of post-traumatic stress disorder access to medical marijuana.