Bill Introduced to Help Veterans Get MMJ

veterans

At the time of the Civil War, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman said, “War is hell.” More than 150 years later, his observation is still true. For those soldiers that have repeatedly gone to hell and back, emotional trauma is bound to accumulate. According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at least 11 percent of soldiers develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in a given year.

PTSD is an affliction of the mind suffered by those that have seen or experienced a traumatic event and it is characterized by increased anxiety and emotional arousal. In regards to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, 11-20 percent of veterans suffer from PTSD.

Although medical marijuana has been shown to treat the symptoms in PTSD, the Department of Veterans Affairs has taken a hard-line stance against medical marijuana, forbidding VA doctors from recommending the substance to veterans. However, with the introduction of a new bipartisan bill, that may soon change.

Introduced by pro-cannabis Congressman Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., The Veterans Equal Access Act (HR 667) will make it easier for veterans to gain access to medical marijuana. The act will authorize VA doctors and other healthcare professionals to recommend medical marijuana to veterans living in states with medical marijuana programs.

“Post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury can be more damaging and harmful than injuries that are visible from the outside,” said Blumenauer in a statement. “We should be allowing these wounded veterans access to the medicine that will help them survive and thrive, including medical marijuana — not treating them like criminals and forcing them into the shadows. It’s shameful.”

Aside from Rep. Blumenauer, the bill has eight bipartisan sponsors, three Democrats and five Republicans. The other sponsors of the bill are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., Tom Reed, R-N.Y., Justin Amash, R-Mich., Richard Hanna, R-N.Y., Walter Jones, R-N.C.,), Dina Titus, D-Nev., Sam Farr, D-Calif., and Jared Polis, D-Colo.

If HR 667 passes, it could bring relief to thousands of veterans across the country forced to use pharmaceuticals instead of medical marijuana to treat their illness. Studies have shown that states with medical marijuana see fewer prescription pill overdoses. In a time where veterans are needlessly dying from being overprescribed medication; medical marijuana can help avoid future tragedies.

With bipartisan support, and a noble goal, The Veterans Equal Access Act has a better chance of passing than in recent years. Congress has already ended the war on medical marijuana, which gives one hope that our lawmakers would be wise enough to let doctors make decisions on medical marijuana prescriptions.

Returning veterans could become medical marijuana consumers. As our soldiers return home and seek solace from war, the marijuana industry will be there to help them heal.

 

William Sumner is a freelance writer and marijuana journalist located in Panama City, FL. Passionate about writing, William is dedicated to journalistic integrity and providing quality insight on current events. You can follow him on Twitter @W_Sumner.

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