DAV calls for more research study into medical cannabis as an alternative discomfort relief option for veterans with persistent discomfort, PTSD and TBIs.
Like lots of veterans, the rigors of military service took a toll on Air Force veteran Jarid Watson’s body. He’s not exactly sure when precisely it happened-perhaps during physical training or while loading and unloading cargo planes as a member of the world-famous U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds … continue checking out
Cannabis’s promising minute
Iraq veteran finds cannabis useful as Washington disputes how to move forward.
Like numerous veterans, service took a toll on Ryan Rasnick.
While he was driving in western Anbar Province in Iraq in 2009, an RKG-3-a Russian-made anti-tank hand grenade-was tossed straight in front of his lorry. Rasnick rapidly slammed on the brakes. And while the maneuver most likely conserved his and other lives, it strongly jostled his neck causing longterm damage … continue reading
Is medical cannabis legal?
Over the previous 20 years, the legal status of medical cannabis in many states has progressed to show the shifting attitude towards cannabis as a viable medicine.
Currently, 33 states and the District of Columbia have state-approved medical cannabis programs, as do Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Two extra states have passed medical cannabis legislation that is anticipated to be totally implemented at a later date, while 7 states permit cannabinol (CBD) oil-the non-psychoactive part in cannabis-for medical functions only.
Visit the National Conference of State Legislatures to discover which states have medical cannabis programs.
However, doctors deal with ethical and legal barriers when choosing to advise medical cannabis for veterans-while it may be permitted where they live, it stays a federally restricted drug.
What types of conditions can medical cannabis treat?
The FDA keeps in mind increasing interest in the use of cannabis to treat a variety of medical conditions, including glaucoma, cancer, several sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and specific seizure disorders. Of the states that enable medical cannabis, persistent discomfort, traumatic brain injury and trauma are typically qualifying medical disorders.
What are other possible benefits?
Advocates and researchers think that legal access to medical cannabis could potentially reduce the opioid addiction crisis that has actually been reported among veterans.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an approximated 65% of veterans suffer from chronic pain and are two times as likely to pass away from an unexpected prescription opioid overdose as non-veterans. As such, lots of veterans are trying to find alternatives to highly addictive and possibly hazardous opioid medications-like medical cannabis.
According to USA Today, nearly every VA facility has actually experienced a stable drop in its opioid prescription rates since 2012, with a general decline of 41 percent. The VA is likewise continuing its efforts to promote safe prescribing practices and to attend to the more comprehensive opioid epidemic in the United States, which includes alternative therapies for its patients.
Exist efforts underway to legalize medical cannabis for veterans within VA?
VA scientists have the ability to perform research on cannabis advantages and threats, and potential for abuse, under regulative approval. Any questions related to research study can be resolved to VHABLRD-CSRD@va.gov.
Several bills introduced in the 116th Congress, including the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018 (H.R. 5520), the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act (S. 3409), and the Veterans Equal Access Act (H.R. 1647) looked for reforms worrying medical cannabis for veterans. While these expenses did not ultimately make it into law, new legislation is most likely to be introduced in the 117th Congress.
What is DAV’s stance on medical cannabis for veterans?
DAV Resolution 023, gone by DAV members in 2018, requires research study into the medical effectiveness of medical cannabis for dealing with conditions of service-disabled veterans. Additionally, as pointed out above, DAV has actually supported legislation which looks for to do this. This is an important concern for numerous handicapped veterans and DAV members-and leadership thinks it is vital to boost the base of knowledge surrounding the possible advantages and risks.
Can veterans get medical cannabis through the VA?
Currently, VA doctors can not supply or suggest medical cannabis for veterans as the federal status for cannabis stays a Schedule 1 substance, making the drug unlawful in the federal government’s eyes. Because of this, veterans must never bring any type of cannabis into a VA center, even when supplied through a state-sanctioned medical cannabis program.
However, veterans taking part in a state-sanctioned medical cannabis program will not be rejected VA Benefits Of Medical Marijuana’s Harvard, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA providers are able to talk about cannabis usage with veteran patients and change care and treatment strategies as required. Veterans are encouraged to discuss medical cannabis use with their VA suppliers as part of their private medical record.
The VA will not spend for medical cannabis prescriptions from any source, nor will VA suppliers complete documents or forms required for a veteran to participate in a state-approved medical cannabis program.
However, anecdotal feedback from veterans reveals that VA’s regulations and real client experiences sometimes vary in cases where a prescribed medical cannabis user strolls into a federal (VA) center.
View VA’s full instruction on medical cannabis here. If you have concerns concerning this policy please contact population.health@va.gov.
Is it true that I could lose the right to buy or own guns if I use medical cannabis?
Cannabis, despite medical and leisure legalization in some states, is still unlawful under federal law.
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, «Any person who uses or is addicted to cannabis, regardless of whether his or her state has passed legislation authorizing cannabis for medicinal purposes is an unlawful user of or addicted to an illegal drug and is restricted by Federal law from having guns or ammo.»
Some states have restorative steps to bring back 2nd Amendment rights for authorized medical cannabis users. But it is very important to keep in mind that even in states where it is legal, the federal law still applies.