Medical marijuana legalization is a hot topic around the country, and Colorado is one of the states that is leading the nation in reforming drug laws to accommodate medical uses of marijuana. The drug has been hailed by many patients as a welcome relief to pain, nausea, and a variety of other symptoms that can come with a serious illness.
Now, veterans who have been able to access medical marijuana are saying that the drug is one of few effective treatments for their physical and mental pain when they return from war. However, possession and use of the drug is still illegal in many states, which puts veterans suffering from brain injuries and PTSD in a difficult dilemma.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has acknowledged the effectiveness of marijuana and allows patients to be treated with it at various facilities in states where it is legal. However, because most states in the country still prohibit it, veterans in many places cannot access it and VA doctors cannot recommend it.
Even veterans living in states with legalized medical marijuana often fear the repercussions under federal law, as the state and federal drug enforcement officers continue to act in opposition to each other. Many veterans fear using the treatment method because it could lead to a loss of other important government benefits or even criminal drug charges. Distrust of government programs and uncertainty about interdepartmental disclosures also lead to confusion for veterans, who are told to report their use of medical marijuana to VA doctors but are often afraid.
Doctors are concerned about the low rates of reporting because of potential interactions between the marijuana and other medications.
Source: USA Today "Military veterans say pot eases PTSD," Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, June 5, 2012
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