Community | May 25, 2010 | 10 comments

VA Docs Prohibited From Recommending Medical Marijuana to Returning Vets

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-kerrey/va-docs-prohibited-from-d_b_587763.html

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JackHerer
The U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) recently adopted a policy prohibiting VA physicians from recommending medical marijuana to their patients, even if marijuana is the safest and most effective medicine to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other service-related conditions.

No doubt the policy stems, in part, from the VA's efforts to address the serious problem of drug abuse among returning veterans. Veterans' advocates and organizations like the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) certainly share this concern; last fall, DPA issued a report calling for immediate policy changes to improve veterans' substance abuse and mental health treatment.

Yet seen from the larger perspective of helping veterans adjust to civilian life, the VA's stance on medical marijuana is counterproductive and harmful. The ban means that--despite their service to our country--veterans who reside in the 14 states that have legalized medical marijuana are denied the same rights as every other resident of these states.

At minimum, the VA should be actively studying whether cannabis and its unique chemical ingredients can be used to reduce post-combat trauma without contributing to drug dependency. Ample research and anecdote strongly suggest this is the case.

Patient reports and published research indicate that marijuana can be a highly effective treatment for PTSD, a condition afflicting nearly one in five veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And overwhelming scientific evidence has already proven marijuana's safety and efficacy for treating conditions like chronic pain, which affects many combat-injured veterans.

Marijuana, moreover, carries none of the risks associated with prescription drugs used to treat PTSD, which have been implicated in the tragic overdose deaths of several current conflict veterans.

"I've run the gamut of different medications at the VA, and basically I was at my limit," said decorated U.S. Army veteran Paul Culkin, a New Mexico medical marijuana patient who suffers from PTSD after serving in Iraq. "The medications were turning me into a zombie...medical cannabis made me a father and a husband again. It's been a blessing."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-kerrey/va-docs-prohibited-from-d_b_587763.html
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10 comments // VA Docs Prohibited From Recommending Medical Marijuana to Returning Vets

  • happyface
    • 0
      happyface  

    • Sure! Don't give them a safe natural plant that's actually been proven to help mentally and physically! Why don't you give them some more of that heroin and inject some of those chemicals into their blood the way they did when these veterans were out there risking their lives? (My own government teacher who happens to be a veteran told me this) I mean, it's all about brainwashing and control, right?! Shame on the VA who are contracted and bonded with money hungry pharmaceutical companies!!!

    • 1 year ago
  • Theresa_Knox
    • 0
      Theresa_Knox  

    • that is disgusting. as defenders of the rights of all americans, veterans especially deserve access to all kinds of relief, just the same as the civilians who've never fought but still enjoy the benefits of a 'free' country where people have a choice about their healthcare options. would the VA prefer to see these veterans addicted to prescription pain meds? imagine the added cost of care...

    • 1 year ago
  • juicie
  • SHAWN_RITTIMAN
    • +1
      SHAWN_RITTIMAN  

    • It is unfortunate that it seems to be the same everywhere. The White city Oregon domiciliary, near where I live is one of the largest in the country and they do not back vets when it comes to alternative choices in medications. As an active volunteer for the Medford Oregon Voter Power this makes me sad and angry that they are forced to seek other doctors to get a card. If they live at the dom they are at risk of getting random UAs and can lose their housing for having any meds in their system besides those approved by the doctors at these facilities.

    • 1 year ago
  • Robotic091
    • 0
      Robotic091  

    • they don't want a success story amongst their ranks it would make the drug war even more pointless when the soldiers (which they concider real pattriots) are using to keep their minds intact fighting not one but two pointless wars.

    • 1 year ago
  • hombre76
    • +1
      hombre76  

    • this is such bullshit. my fathers happiest day was when he got his prescription for medical marijuana in Cali as it was the only thing that truly helped his PTSD from his service in Vietnam.

    • 2 years ago
  • Miglue
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