Washington, DC: Military veterans and their family members believe that the Department of Veterans Affairs should provide medical cannabis treatment to eligible patients, according to survey data compiled by the non-profit group Mission Roll Call.
Representatives from the advocacy group compiled responses from nearly 2,000 veterans and their family members regarding how the Veterans Affairs department could better expand its services. Fifty-seven percent of respondents supported allowing the agency to provide medical cannabis.
Under federal law, VA-affiliated doctors are forbidden from authorizing veterans to use medical cannabis, even if they live in jurisdictions where the substance is legal.
Nonetheless, some 40 percent of veterans suffering from chronic pain acknowledge using cannabis products. Most say they improve their health-related quality of life and reduce their reliance on prescription medications.
Additional information is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana and Veterans Issues.’