Congress members urge VA to give veterans medical marijuana access - Cannabis Laws & Cannabis Legislation - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

jump /injack · 01-30-2016, 03:23 AM

Congress members tell VA to expand medical marijuana access to veterans(Photo Credit: Jesus V/Compfight cc)
Bipartisan group of lawmakers tells the VA to grant veterans medical marijuana access.

Current federal policy blocking Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors from recommending medical marijuana treatment to veterans is about to expire, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers are now calling on the VA to change that policy.

A broad coalition of legislators sent a letter to the VA on Wednesday calling to give veterans access to medical marijuana.

Veterans are currently prohibited from fully discussing medical marijuana treatment with VA doctors, and those doctors are prohibited from recommending medical marijuana treatment to veterans, even in states where medical marijuana is legal, according to the Drug Policy Alliance.

“Vets have served their country, and the least we can do is give them the care they require,” Michael Collins, Deputy Director of National Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, said in a press release. “It is shameful that the VA prevents veterans from accessing a treatment for pain relief and PTSD.”

There is “overwhelming evidence” that marijuana may help treat post traumatic stress disorder, according to Leafly. Researchers believe marijuana may help relieve PTSD because endocannabinoid deficiency is one of the key pillars of the disorder.

Per Leafly:

By replenishing these missing endocannabinoids with those found in cannabis, researchers think marijuana pharmaceuticals might bring PTSD patients relief from their memories.

Twenty-one lawmakers — 19 Democrats and two Republicans — have signed the letter calling for VA secretary Robert McDonald to enact a new policy that “removes barriers that would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship” for veterans in states with medical marijuana, as reported by the Military Times.

Lawmakers say current policy “disincentivizes” honesty between doctors and patients.

Per Military Times:

“You are in a position to make this change when the current directive expires at the end of this month,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Sen. Steve Daines, D-Mont., and others wrote Wednesday to McDonald.

“We ask that you act to ensure that our veterans’ access to care is not compromised and that doctors and patients are allowed to have honest discussions about treatment options.”

Medical marijuana is currently legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. An additional 17 states have passed CBD-only laws allowing for medical use of low-THC cannabis.

written by Emily Gray Brosious posted: 01/27/2016, 02:08pm

_tessarecting · 01-30-2016, 03:56 AM

As they should!

sdd420 · 01-30-2016, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _tessarecting

As they should!

Your damn right! I can't think of anyone more deserving than our own military

Al Botross · 01-30-2016, 05:23 AM

They'll ignore them.

01-30-2016, 03:23 AM	#1
jump /injack Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 994	Congress members urge VA to give veterans medical marijuana access Congress members tell VA to expand medical marijuana access to veterans(Photo Credit: Jesus V/Compfight cc) Bipartisan group of lawmakers tells the VA to grant veterans medical marijuana access. Current federal policy blocking Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors from recommending medical marijuana treatment to veterans is about to expire, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers are now calling on the VA to change that policy. A broad coalition of legislators sent a letter to the VA on Wednesday calling to give veterans access to medical marijuana. Veterans are currently prohibited from fully discussing medical marijuana treatment with VA doctors, and those doctors are prohibited from recommending medical marijuana treatment to veterans, even in states where medical marijuana is legal, according to the Drug Policy Alliance. “Vets have served their country, and the least we can do is give them the care they require,” Michael Collins, Deputy Director of National Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, said in a press release. “It is shameful that the VA prevents veterans from accessing a treatment for pain relief and PTSD.” There is “overwhelming evidence” that marijuana may help treat post traumatic stress disorder, according to Leafly. Researchers believe marijuana may help relieve PTSD because endocannabinoid deficiency is one of the key pillars of the disorder. Per Leafly: By replenishing these missing endocannabinoids with those found in cannabis, researchers think marijuana pharmaceuticals might bring PTSD patients relief from their memories. Twenty-one lawmakers — 19 Democrats and two Republicans — have signed the letter calling for VA secretary Robert McDonald to enact a new policy that “removes barriers that would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship” for veterans in states with medical marijuana, as reported by the Military Times. Lawmakers say current policy “disincentivizes” honesty between doctors and patients. Per Military Times: “You are in a position to make this change when the current directive expires at the end of this month,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Sen. Steve Daines, D-Mont., and others wrote Wednesday to McDonald. “We ask that you act to ensure that our veterans’ access to care is not compromised and that doctors and patients are allowed to have honest discussions about treatment options.” Medical marijuana is currently legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. An additional 17 states have passed CBD-only laws allowing for medical use of low-THC cannabis. written by Emily Gray Brosious posted: 01/27/2016, 02:08pm
	Quote 2 members found this post helpful.

01-30-2016, 03:56 AM	#2
_tessarecting ஓ Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 3,852	As they should! __________________
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

01-30-2016, 05:23 AM	#4
Al Botross IC Mag Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,666	They'll ignore them. __________________ In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud, It perched for vespers nine; Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white, Glimmered the white moonshine." `God save thee, ancient Mariner, From the fiends that plague thee thus! - Why look'st thou so?' -"With my crossbow I shot the Albatross."
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