House Bill Would Give Veterans Easier Access To Medical Marijuana

[Suzanimal]

House Bill Would Give Veterans Easier Access To Medical Marijuana


A bipartisan bill introduced in the House of Representatives Tuesday would allow Department of Veterans Affairs doctors to recommend medical marijuana to military veterans in states where it is legal.

The Veterans Equal Access Act would allow VA doctors to recommend or offer opinions about medical marijuana for veterans suffering from serious injuries or chronic conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. VA doctors are currently prohibited from aiding patients seeking medical use of marijuana.

“Post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury can be more damaging and harmful than injuries that are visible from the outside,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), a co-sponsor of the bill. “And they can have a devastating effect on a veteran’s family. 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.”

Nearly 30 percent of veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars suffer from PTSD and depression, according to a 2012 VA report. Some research has suggested marijuana may help PTSD symptoms, which can include anxiety, flashbacks and depression. A recent study found that PTSD symptoms in patients who smoked cannabis were reduced an average of 75 percent.

Other co-sponsors of the bill include Reps. Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), and Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.).

Currently, 23 states allow the medical use of marijuana. Ten of those states, as well as Guam, allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana for PTSD-related symptoms. The plant remains illegal under federal law for all uses.

“The men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have made tremendous sacrifices for our country," said Dan Riffle, director of federal policies for Marijuana Policy Project. "They deserve every option available to treat their wounds, both visible and hidden."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/03/medical-marijuana-veterans-bill_n_6607408.html

[dannno]

A recent study found that PTSD symptoms in patients who smoked cannabis were reduced an average of 75 percent.

What CAN'T it do?

[Tinnuhana]

What CAN'T it do?
Not too good if you want to lose weight. :D

[Suzanimal]

House rejects proposal to let VA doctors recommend medical marijuana


The House rejected a proposal Thursday to allow doctors at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals to discuss the use of medical marijuana with patients.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer's (D-Ore.) amendment to the first fiscal 2016 appropriations bill of the year, which funds the VA and military construction projects, failed narrowly by a vote of 210-213.

A total of 35 Republicans voted in favor of the amendment, while eight Democrats voted against it. Boos ensued from the Democratic side of the House chamber when Republicans closed the vote despite the razor-thin margin.

...

A 2012 VA report found nearly 30 percent of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD or depression.

Lawmakers from both parties argued veterans should at least be able to receive recommendations from their doctors about the drug's merits. They stressed the amendment wouldn't force doctors to recommend medical marijuana or authorize marijuana possession at VA facilities.

"Let's lift the gag order. We owe it to our veterans to give them complete information when they ask for it, even if the means discussing medical marijuana," said Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.).

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) said fellow Republicans should support allowing free discussion about medical marijuana between veterans and their doctors.

"As Republicans, we supposedly believe in the doctor-patient relationship. But apparently some of my colleagues believe that relationship is not relevant when it comes to VA doctors and their patients," Rohrabacher said during floor debate.

"It is criminal that we send our men and women off to war where their minds and bodies are broken and then deny them the ability to obtain a recommendation from a legitimate VA doctor upon their return home," Rohrabacher added.

But other Republicans warned that a drug that remains illegal in many states shouldn't be prescribed for veterans with psychological problems.

"Why in the world would we give a drug that is addictive, that is prohibited under Schedule I, that is not accepted for any specific mental disease or disorder and enhances psychosis and schizophrenia, why are we going to give that to our veterans, especially those with PTSD? That is just absolutely insane," said Rep. John Fleming (R-La.), a physician.

Blumenauer offered the same amendment to the VA appropriations bill last year. It was defeated by a vote of 195-222, a much wider margin than Thursday's.

Marijuana legalization advocates interpreted the close vote as a sign lawmakers don't view the issue as politically risky as in the past.

"While it’s disappointing that the House just voted to continue a senseless rule that prevents doctors from treating military veterans with a medicine proven to work for a number of serious conditions, the fact that we came so close is a good sign of things to come," Marijuana Majority Chairman Tom Angell said in a statement.

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/240731-house-rejects-allowing-va-doctors-to-recommend-medical-marijuana

[liberalnurse]

"Why in the world would we give a drug that is addictive, that is prohibited under Schedule I, that is not accepted for any specific mental disease or disorder and enhances psychosis and schizophrenia, why are we going to give that to our veterans, especially those with PTSD? That is just absolutely insane," said Rep. John Fleming (R-La.), a physician.


And which pharmaceutical company lines your pockets, Dr. Fleming?