Medical Marijuana — CBD For Veterans — Information & Research — DAV

DAV requires more research into medical cannabis as an alternative pain 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 unsure when exactly it happened-perhaps during physical training or while filling and dumping cargo planes as a member of the world-famous U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds … continue checking out
Cannabis’s appealing moment
Iraq veteran discovers cannabis useful as Washington disputes how to move on.
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 automobile. Rasnick rapidly slammed on the brakes. And while the maneuver likely saved his and other lives, it strongly scrambled his neck causing longterm damage … continue checking out
Is medical cannabis legal?
Over the previous 20 years, the legal status of medical cannabis in lots of states has actually evolved to show the shifting attitude towards cannabis as a practical 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 additional states have passed medical cannabis legislation that is expected to be totally carried out at a later date, while seven states permit cannabinol (CBD) oil-the non-psychoactive part in cannabis-for medical purposes just.
Visit the National Conference of State Legislatures to discover which states have medical cannabis programs.
However, doctors face ethical and legal barriers when choosing to advise medical cannabis for veterans-while it might be allowed where they live, it remains a federally forbidden drug.
What kinds of conditions can medical cannabis treat?
The FDA keeps in mind increasing interest in the use of cannabis to deal with a variety of medical conditions, consisting of glaucoma, cancer, several sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and particular seizure disorders. Of the states that allow medical cannabis, chronic discomfort, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder are often qualifying medical disorders.
What are other possible benefits?
Advocates and scientists think that legal access to medical cannabis might possibly ease the opioid addiction crisis that has been reported among veterans.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an approximated 65% of veterans struggle with chronic discomfort and are two times as most likely to die from an unexpected prescription opioid overdose as non-veterans. As such, many veterans are searching for alternatives to extremely addictive and possibly unsafe opioid medications-like medical cannabis.
According to USA Today, nearly every VA center has experienced a consistent drop in its opioid prescription rates considering that 2012, with an overall decrease of 41 percent. The VA is likewise continuing its efforts to promote safe prescribing practices and to resolve the more comprehensive opioid epidemic in the United States, which includes alternative treatments for its patients.
Are there efforts underway to legalize medical cannabis for veterans within VA?
VA researchers are able to carry out research study on cannabis advantages and dangers, and potential for abuse, under regulatory approval. Any questions connected to research can be resolved to VHABLRD-CSRD@va.gov.
Several bills introduced in the 116th Congress, consisting of 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) sought reforms worrying medical cannabis for veterans. While these costs did not ultimately make it into law, brand-new legislation is likely to be introduced in the 117th Congress.
What is DAV’s position on medical cannabis for veterans?
DAV Resolution 023, passed 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 mentioned above, DAV has supported legislation which looks for to do this. This is a crucial issue for numerous disabled veterans and DAV members-and leadership believes it is critical to enhance the base of knowledge surrounding the prospective advantages and dangers.
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 remains a Schedule 1 substance, making the drug illegal in the federal government’s eyes. Because of this, veterans need to never bring any kind of cannabis into a VA facility, even when offered through a state-sanctioned medical cannabis program.
However, veterans participating in a state-sanctioned medical cannabis program will not be denied VA benefits, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA companies have the ability to talk about cannabis use with veteran patients and adjust care and treatment strategies as needed. Veterans are encouraged to discuss medical cannabis usage with their VA providers as part of their confidential medical record.
The VA will not spend for medical cannabis prescriptions from any source, nor will VA companies complete documents or types needed for a veteran to take part in a state-approved medical cannabis program.
However, anecdotal feedback from veterans shows that VA’s regulations and real patient experiences often vary in cases where a prescribed medical cannabis user walks into a federal (VA) center.
View VA’s full directive on medical cannabis here. If you have questions regarding this policy please contact population.health@va.gov.
Is it real that I could lose the right to buy or own firearms if I utilize medical cannabis?
Cannabis, despite medical and leisure legalization in some states, is still illegal under federal law.
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, «Any individual who utilizes or is addicted to cannabis, no matter whether his or her state has actually passed legislation licensing cannabis for medicinal purposes is an unlawful user of or addicted to an illegal drug and is prohibited by Federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.»
Some states have remedial actions to restore 2nd Amendment rights for authorized medical cannabis users. But it is necessary to bear in mind that even in states where it is legal, the federal law still applies.