{"id":4026,"date":"2021-03-10T04:20:03","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T12:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dispensaries.com\/blog\/?p=4026"},"modified":"2021-03-10T07:06:00","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T15:06:00","slug":"medical-marijuana-for-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dispensaries.com\/blog\/medical-marijuana-for-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"Marijuana For Veterans: Vet Organizations Ask Congress For Cannabis Access and Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leaders from several veterans\u2019 organizations recently told members of the U.S. Congress in testimony that lawmakers need to address outdated laws that block the use of marijuana for veterans who want to try cannabis-related medical treatment.<\/p>\n

That includes the use of cannabis to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.\u00a0 They also asked for changes in laws that would allow more research into the potential uses of medical marijuana<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The leaders spoke before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees.<\/p>\n

In his testimony, Lindsay Church, executive director of Minority Veterans of America, said<\/a> that \u201cthe epidemic of substance use disorder and other mental health crises among veterans\u201d demonstrates the need for the government to expand the list of potential treatments beyond what is currently available.<\/p>\n

For example, he said, \u201cResearch into cannabis demonstrates its effectiveness in treating PTSD and SUDs in veteran populations, although more research is needed, as well as reducing the use of opioids and opioid-related deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n

Medical Cannabis Growing In Popularity Among Veterans<\/h2>\n

Marijuana for veterans is an idea that has picked up steam in recent years, according to Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). He also provided testimony to Congress.<\/p>\n

He said that for years, IAVA members have spoken in support for research and legalization of medical cannabis. \u201cVeterans consistently and passionately have communicated that cannabis offers effective help in tackling some of the most pressing injuries we face when returning from war,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He added that in a recent survey, more than 80% of IAVA members supported medical marijuana legalization.<\/p>\n

\u201cAcross party lines, medicinal cannabis has been rapidly increasing in support,\u201d Butler said. \u201cYet our national policies are outdated, research is lacking, and stigma persists.\u201d<\/p>\n

Federal Rules Block Medical Research<\/h2>\n

Butler also noted that the fact marijuana remains a Schedule I illegal drug at the federal level has slowed medical research. Currently, researchers must use what is considered inferior marijuana from a farm at the University of Mississippi, which contracts with the federal government to provide marijuana for research. That\u2019s despite the fact that a third of the country now lives where recreational marijuana is legal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He pointed out that a 2017 National Academy of Sciences study found \u201cconclusive or substantial\u201d evidence that cannabis is effective in treating chronic pain and sleep issues. \u201cHowever, federal bureaucratic hurdles continue to halt the system and stymie good research. We will never get a definitive answer on the efficacy of cannabis as a treatment option while federal regulations that actively undermine solid research studies remain in place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen Whitehead, national commander of Disabled American Veterans, also spoke before the committees. He, too, backed \u201cresearch into the efficacy of cannabis for treatment of service-connected veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his testimony<\/a>, Butler noted that allowing marijuana for veterans could save taxpayers money and create jobs for veterans.<\/p>\n

He said, \u201cOver the past few years, IAVA members have set out to change the national conversation around cannabis and underscore the need for bipartisan, evidence-based, common-sense solutions that can bring relief to millions, save taxpayers billions and create thousands of jobs for veterans nationwide.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Veterans groups testify before Congress, asking lawmakers to change laws and allow veterans access to medical marijuana across the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4027,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[1075,119,566,73],"yoast_head":"\nVet Organizations Ask Congress For Cannabis Access and Research<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Veterans groups testify before Congress, asking lawmakers to change laws and allow veterans access to medical marijuana across the country.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dispensaries.com\/blog\/medical-marijuana-for-veterans\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Vet 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