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

DAV requires more research study into medical cannabis as an alternative pain relief option for veterans with chronic pain, 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 uncertain when exactly it happened-perhaps throughout physical training or while loading and dumping freight planes as a member of the world-famous U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds … continue reading
Cannabis’s appealing moment
Iraq veteran finds cannabis helpful as Washington debates how to progress.
Like lots of 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 hurled directly in front of his lorry. Rasnick quickly knocked on the brakes. And while the maneuver most likely saved his and other lives, it strongly scrambled his neck causing longterm damage … continue checking out
Is medical cannabis legal?
Over the previous twenty years, the legal status of medical cannabis in many states has progressed to show the shifting mindset towards cannabis as a feasible 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 expected to be fully implemented at a later date, while seven states permit cannabinol (CBD) oil-the non-psychoactive component in cannabis-for medical functions just.
Visit the National Conference of State Legislatures to find which states have medical cannabis programs.
However, physicians face ethical and legal barriers when deciding to recommend medical cannabis for veterans-while it may be allowed where they live, it stays a federally restricted drug.
What types of conditions can medical cannabis deal with?
The FDA keeps in mind increasing interest in using cannabis to treat a variety of medical conditions, including glaucoma, cancer, several sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and particular seizure conditions. Of the states that allow medical cannabis, persistent discomfort, traumatic brain injury and trauma are often qualifying medical ailments.
What are other possible benefits?
Advocates and scientists think that legal access to medical cannabis could possibly reduce the opioid dependency crisis that has actually been reported among veterans.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 65% of veterans experience chronic pain and are two times as most likely to pass away from an accidental prescription opioid overdose as non-veterans. As such, numerous veterans are looking for alternatives to extremely addicting and potentially unsafe opioid medications-like medical cannabis.
According to USA Today, practically every VA facility has experienced a stable drop in its opioid prescription rates since 2012, with a general decline of 41 percent. The VA is also continuing its efforts to promote safe recommending practices and to attend to the more comprehensive opioid epidemic in the United States, that includes alternative therapies for its patients.
Exist efforts underway to legalize medical cannabis for veterans within VA?
VA researchers have the ability to carry out research on cannabis advantages and threats, and potential for abuse, under regulatory approval. Any questions related to research can be dealt with to VHABLRD-CSRD@va.gov.
Several costs 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) sought reforms worrying medical cannabis for veterans. While these expenses did not eventually make it into law, new legislation is most 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 pointed out above, DAV has supported legislation which looks for to do this. This is an essential issue for many disabled veterans and DAV members-and management believes 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 physicians can not supply or advise medical cannabis for veterans as the federal status for cannabis stays a Schedule 1 compound, making the drug illegal in the federal government’s eyes. Because of this, veterans ought to never ever bring any kind of cannabis into a VA center, even when provided through a state-sanctioned medical cannabis program.
However, veterans participating in a state-sanctioned medical cannabis program will not be rejected VA advantages, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA providers are able to discuss cannabis use with veteran patients and adjust care and treatment plans as required. Veterans are motivated to talk about medical cannabis usage with their VA companies as part of their personal medical record.
The VA will not pay for medical cannabis prescriptions from any source, nor will VA providers complete documents or types required for a veteran to participate in a state-approved medical cannabis program.
However, anecdotal feedback from veterans shows that VA’s instructions and real client experiences often vary in cases where a proposed medical cannabis user strolls into a federal (VA) facility.
View VA’s full regulation on medical cannabis here. If you have questions concerning this policy please contact population.health@va.gov.
Is it true that I could lose the right to buy or own firearms if I utilize medical cannabis?
Cannabis, in spite of medical and recreational legalization in some states, is still illegal under federal law.
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, «Any person who uses or is addicted to cannabis, despite whether his/her state has actually passed legislation licensing cannabis for medicinal functions is an illegal user of or addicted to an illegal drug and is prohibited by Federal law from possessing guns or ammunition.»
Some states have restorative actions to restore 2nd Amendment rights for registered medical cannabis users. But it is essential to keep in mind that even in states where it is legal, the federal law still uses.