Why Do Most States Deny Veterans Medical Marijuana for Post Stress Disorder Treatment
Studies show that approximately 33 states in the U.S. allow medical marijuana use. Despite the numerous health benefits of the herbs to alleviate psychological issues, most states deny veterans using medical cannabis products for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment.
Veterans have expressed their dissatisfaction. One veteran noted that the authorities could prescribe medical Marijuana for dogs but deny veterans.
Various veteran groups are working on getting medical marijuana approval to alleviate their post-traumatic stress disorders. With the federal law still regarding or listing Marijuana as a Schedule I drug, the Department of Veterans Affairs won't approve cannabis use for veterans. The groups are pushing for the state to change the designations and have more studies and research on the health benefits of medical cannabis.
Medical cannabis might be the best solution to alleviate PTSD. For instance, certain army personnel has served the county's Air Force for 21 years.
He commanded the maintenance, joint aviation, and support personnel worldwide. Furthermore, He served as a legislative affair lead, specifically for two Special Operation Command Leaders.
Unfortunately, after an Air Force craft crash, the soldier developed traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs physicians placed Him on various prescription medications.
The veteran revealed that He was taking many prescriptions, including antidepressants, opioids, sleeping pills, and benzodiazepines. Like other veterans, the numerous prescriptions adversely affect his performance and working ability. Furthermore, the effects strained the veteran’s relationship with the family at home.
The veteran says taking these prescribed medications resulted in him becoming zombie-like. The state family member pleaded with him to join them on Christmas eve.
However, medical cannabis helped the soldier to get back to his senses, career, and family. Medical marijuana use helps veterans get rid of prescription medications and restore control over their different parts or aspects of life.
The situation is quite difficult for veterans solely relying on the Veterans' healthcare benefits. The department adheres to federal law, which ties V.A. physicians from prescribing veterans access to medical cannabis treatment.
This veteran currently works as an executive director at the ‘Veterans Marijuana Project.' This project advocates educating policymakers to approve and support veterans to access medical Marijuana. Seeking these treatment alternatives helps provide treatment options beyond addictive drugs, such as opiates.
The project director states that it's time the country's Congress authorizes V.A. physicians to recommend medical Marijuana for veterans. Besides recommending, the state should help veterans access these products. Furthermore, the Veterans Affairs Department in the country should research the impacts of Marijuana on various veterans' health complications.
The United States Veterans Affair Denying Medical Cannabis
The VA’s website still labels Marijuana as one of the harmful substances to veterans.
Veterans Affairs states a growing concern about medical marijuana use to alleviate certain conditions.
Despite the herb's health benefits, the Controlled Substances Act categorizes Marijuana as a Schedule I list drug alongside heroin.
The Veterans Affairs websites reveal that researchers are yet to have controlled studies to evaluate the effectiveness or safety of medical cannabis for PTSD. Thus, the physicians don’t have sufficient evidence showing cannabis is an effective treatment to alleviate PTSD.
Nevertheless, there is a growing shift toward Marijuana in the national picture. The shifting attitude relates to the medical purposes or benefits of the weed.
Despite restricting medical marijuana use and accessibility, most veterans opt for Medical Marijuana to alleviate PTSD symptoms. These symptoms range from depression and anxiety to chronic pain.
Remember, most scientific research reveals various medicinal cannabis properties.
Despite the wide acceptance of Marijuana to alleviate different health issues, the V.A. downplays the use of Marijuana among veterans. The VA website states that only a few states have approved recreational or medical marijuana use.
However, the reports contradict this, as more states have approved marijuana use. Currently, 33 states, including the District of Columbia, have approved medical marijuana use. These states have enacted medical cannabis laws to allow qualifying individuals to access, obtain, and cultivate Marijuana for different conditions.
Furthermore, 15 states have decriminalized cannabis, while 11 states, including D.C., have legalized recreational cannabis use.
Havard’s School of Public Health and Politico carried out a survey on marijuana use and safety in the country. The polls showed that most Americans think cannabis use is less harmful than tobacco, e-cigarettes, or alcohol.
During the survey, one in five individuals believes that Marijuana causes adverse effects to its users. However, two in five Americans believe alcohol is more harmful, 52% believe e-cigarettes as more harmful, while 80% think tobacco cigarettes are more harmful.
Lastly, more than American adults believe it’ll be good for the federal law to change its stance and legalize medical and recreational marijuana use.
In the latest survey researchers carried out last month, most American citizens support the legalization of medical Marijuana in the country.
The good news is that almost all Democratic presidential aspirants agree on removing weed from the controlled substance list at the federal level.
Remember, the public and veterans are overwhelmingly supporting making medicinal Marijuana accessible and available for veterans.
In 2017, the American Legion conducted a survey on medical marijuana use among veterans. The result revealed that 92% of the veterans supported more research on the issues, while 87% supported the legalization of medical marijuana use.
Study on PTSD and Marijuana
Last week researchers posted the finding of a certain result on a certain marijuana and PTSD study. The findings showed that medical Marijuana had helped Canadians with PTSD to alleviate thoughts of suicide and depression symptoms.
In this health survey, researchers and scientists from the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Center collected data from approximately 24000 Canadians. The results show there were high chances of individuals with PTSD but not using medical Marijuana to have suicidal thoughts or suffer severe depression. The chances of these symptoms were lower in patients using Marijuana for some time.
The researchers and authors concluded that this study provides primary evidence of Marijuana's effectiveness in alleviating PTSD symptoms. The findings showed marijuana use reduced the association between PTSD and adverse symptoms, like suicidal thoughts, severe depressive state, etc.
A certain BCSSU researcher assistant who was leading the study revealed that with the limited PTSD treatment options, most patients are switching to using medical Marijuana to alleviate their symptoms. Nevertheless, the study represented the first time nationally representative survey results have recognized the possible health benefits of cannabis to alleviate this disorder.
Experts reveal that this analysis is the first to document or show the relationship between Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and marijuana use. Furthermore, the study showed the first relationship between medical marijuana use and mental health outcome in a certain population’s sample representative.
The results and documentation raise a concern about the V.A.'s thoughts on the relationship between cannabis use and PTSD. The concern is on the thought of the Veterans Affair's thoughts on the issues affecting more than 30% of Americans serving in the army to curb terrorist attacks since September 2001.
Veterans Groups or Associations Supporting Medical Cannabis
We’ve got various veteran groups supporting medical marijuana use among veterans. The Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)is the largest veteran service group in the country, specifically for post -9/11 war veterans.
Recently, the Vice Executive president revealed that the Veteran Affair says that research on Marijuana it's not true. The state's V.A. has to coordinate and link with other agencies and bodies to conduct the study. As a nonpartisan association, IAVA thinks that both sides take the issue seriously and conduct a study on the medical marijuana use association with PTSD.
The group’s recent annual national survey showed that one in five members uses medical cannabis.
However, less than a third of those using medical Marijuana mentions the use to the physician. The stigma associated with cannabis use was the main cause of the lower number.
Furthermore, some physicians have a legitimate fear of dismissal or reprisal in the workplace or at the V.A. The veterans risk losing their jobs after testing positive for Marijuana or cannabis during a random drug test.
However, surveys have found little to zero stigmas on marijuana use in some states, like San Francisco. Thus, veterans can have an open conversation with their physicians about Marijuana in these states. Nevertheless, in some states like Georgia, where marijuana use is still illegal, the providers and physicians are still judgemental and skeptical. The judgmental and stigmatization view of Marijuana makes it hard for veterans, making it hard for them to communicate with the physician openly on the issue.
Why Does the V.A. Maintain Its stance on Marijuana?
The biggest drawback of the V.A.'s attempt to make medical Marijuana available is the federal laws listing Marijuana as a Schedule I list on controlled substances.
Thus, the state authorities don't accept or approve medical marijuana use due to the high chances of abuse. Using Marijuana can lead you to various legal actions in some states.
In line with federal laws, the V.A. views all marijuana forms as illegal. Therefore, VA physicians can't help you access medical cannabis products. Nevertheless, you can consider getting these products on your own.
During the latest congressional hearing to explore different bills to allow expanded access to medical cannabis for qualifying veterans, the V.A. maintained its stance. V.A. representatives revealed that they oppose the policies as long as the federal laws still regard Marijuana as illegal.
The VA media relations director revealed that the agency focuses on improving PTSD treatment options. In addition, the agency supports various studies into appropriate treatment that may be valuable.
However, the directors say that the state’s federal laws restrict the fancy for conducting research or studies with Schedule I controlled drugs, including cannabis.
Remember, you’ll need to involve various state bodies when conducting research or studies using these substances. These bodies or institutions include the Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institute on Drug Abuse, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the National Institute of Health.
Furthermore, you also require a wide range of requirements to perform the study legally. You require FDA approval for the research protocol and a review of the investigating new drug or therapy application. Besides the FDA approval, you require site licensure and investigator registration from the state’s DEA. Lastly, you'll need permission to obtain this medical drug from NIDA and get the approval of the national medical cannabis production laboratory.
The federal laws have clear guidelines and restrictions on medical marijuana research. While the state allows researchers to carry out studies, all the researchers must adhere to the above federal entities. However, Congress can help to facilitate more federal studies on Schedule I controlled substances, like Marijuana. Congress can facilitate more studies by eliminating or relaxing the restrictions.
Besides Congress, several sources reveal that even the president can reschedule the marijuana restrictions. The president can make it accessible to veterans and allows V.A. scientists to conduct more studies on the health benefits of Marijuana.
Experts reveal it'll be complicated and time-consuming to have an executive branch rescheduling, as it has to involve the DEA, FDA, and other federal agencies. Nevertheless, the president has the power to reschedule a drug easily without involving more agencies.
Despite the numerous times, the president supported cannabis use legalization, former President Trump never changed Marijuana's Schedule I status.
Former Veterans Affairs Secretary Advocates for More Research
The former V.A. secretary advocates for more research and has revealed that the president has the power to reschedule the marijuana status.
For instance, in 2014, there was a change when the state's DEA changed the status of hydrocodone combination products from Schedule III to II. Due to the earlier changes in hydrocodone status, then it's possible with Marijuana. But does the White House have a hand in these changes at this level? The White House isn't involved in the process, as the agencies follow appropriate guidelines. Nevertheless, the White House can weigh in and allows the DEA & FDA to follow normal procedures.
Thus, Veterans Affairs has a medical obligation to research or study Marijuana.
Many experts reveal that they find it strange that cannabis is a Schedule I drug while cocaine is a Schedule II drug. It's a big lie to say that Marijuana has no medical benefit or value, as cannabinoids help to alleviate various health issues.
The former V.A. secretary reveals that the FDA has approved a certain drug containing cannabinoids. The FDA approves the cannabis-infused medication for pediatric epilepsy and has allowed individuals to use it.
Reports reveal that in June 2018, the FDA approved the first cannabis-derived drug, Epidiolex. The agencies allowed individuals to get these drugs from local pharmacies in the United States.
Besides approving marijuana-infused drugs for pediatric epilepsy, the agencies have also accepted some marijuana applications in cancer treatment. FDA approves some applications to enhance appetite in chemotherapy patients.
The former V.A. secretary refuted claims that the state barred the agency from discussing medical marijuana issues with patients. Furthermore, it's not true that the agency can't research or study this beneficial herb.
While the state prohibits prescribing medical Marijuana to veterans, physicians can talk and discuss cannabis treatment options with the patients.
Veterans Affairs can conduct a study on medical Marijuana. However, before getting the study's approval, the agency should go through the painful and lengthy barriers, bureaucracy, and approval process. The state's Congress can save the plight of many veterans seeking medical Marijuana for their PTSD and related symptoms. Congress can remove the restrictions on accessing and studying this beneficial herb.
Medical Cannabis Research
The state's oldest research center on the scientific inquiry of the efficacy and safety of Marijuana is the Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR). The CMCR has its headquarters at the University of California’s School of Medicine in San Diego. It helps in conducting pre-clinical and clinical marijuana studies in the U.S.
Recently, the CMCR announced it had received five new grants to study medical Marijuana. These grants were worth $3 million, and the sponsors wanted the center to explore the safety and efficacy of medical Marijuana as an alternative or supplementary treatment for various conditions. The center was to focus on insomnia, arthritis, schizophrenia, rheumatoid, anorexia-linked anxiety, and alcohol dependence.
The center has carried out various studies on Marijuana. For instance, recent studies show Marijuana is a better alternative for severe pain. Nevertheless, the center is yet to study the association between marijuana use and PTSD.
Despite the CMCR linking directly to the Veterans Affairs Office, the center doesn't have any current studies on the relationship between PTSD and Marijuana.
Stagnant Legislation
Legislatures in Congress have tried severally to push new regulations and legislation to make medical cannabis accessible for veterans, but all efforts have hit a bare rock. Below are some of the bills and Acts that haven't bored any fruit:
● The Veterans Equal Access Act; allows physicians to recommend medical cannabis to their veteran clients. Furthermore, the law was looking to allow physicians to fill out the appropriate paperwork to allow veterans to enroll in their specific states' medical marijuana programs.
● The Veterans Affairs Medical Cannabis Research Act. This Act was to direct or allow the V.A. to conduct large-scale clinical trials on cannabis's effects on various conditions, such as severe pain and PTSD.
● The 2018 V.A. Medical Marijuana Research Act. The Act supported medical and scientific research on medical Marijuana for veterans with severe pain, TBI, PTSD, and other conditions or injuries. However, the researchers were to confine their medical marijuana researchers within the V.A.'s authority.
● The Veterans Medical Cannabis Marijuana Safe Harbour Act. It would enable the V.A. doctors to provide medical marijuana recommendations within the states that allow medical Marijuana.
Besides allowing the V.A. doctors to offer recommendations, the Act was also proposing that the V.A. conduct studies on the health effects of Marijuana on veterans with severe pain. In addition, to study the relationship between the different medical marijuana treatment programs in states that approved cannabis use and how veterans can access such programs. Lastly, the Act proposed a reduction in opioid use among veterans.
Why is Medical Marijuana Okay for Dogs, Not Veterans
It's strange that most Americans in different states can access medical marijuana products, but the V.A. still restricts Veterans from accessing these beneficial products.
Some individuals or pet owners even receive medical marijuana products to alleviate their dog's anxiety. Shockingly, dog owners can get medical cannabis products for their dogs while veterans still can't access them.
Individuals believe that IAVA is an outspoken body advocate for veterans looking for medical Marijuana to alleviate their health issues.
While there is no large appetite for medical marijuana use for veterans in Washington, D.C., there is a growing need outside the Beltway.
The former V.A. secretary recognizes Washington, DC, as a circular logic and echo chamber. While the politicians in D.C. assume the need for medical marijuana use among veterans, IAVA feels there is a huge national need for medical cannabis use among veterans.
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