Widespread Reports Surface of Veterans Denied Pain Meds if They Use Cannabis

[Suzanimal]

NEW YORK (MainStreet) - Despite major marijuana reform afoot post 2014 midterms, one group of traditional users continues to suffer although increasingly not in silence.

Veterans of the nation's wars from Vietnam forward have long found refuge in the wonders of medicinal marijuana for a host of both combat and stress related conditions including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These two intractable, complicated, physical conditions, which often exacerbate the psychological impact of war, are known as the "signature wounds" of the recent wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The impact is lifelong and highly debilitating. It is estimated that as much as 50% of the nation's vets suffer chronic pain. Six veterans a day commit suicide.


That said, veterans are also the demographic hardest hit by the slow pace of forward reform on particularly the medical cannabis front and as a result are beginning to speak out across the country. Veterans, unlike almost any other population, are bound by federal law at all points in their recovery and reintegration process and in some cases, for the rest of their lives. Testing positive for cannabis, even for those legally registered in state programs, can negatively affect veterans' health care benefits, student loans, jobs and even health benefits that many use to reintegrate more smoothly back into civilian life. Furthermore, even in states where medical marijuana is legal, VA doctors have frequently forced patients to choose between opiates and cannabis.

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http://www.mainstreet.com/article/wi...annabis/page/2

[Grenadine]

Wait, I thought Democrats were against getting between a patient and their doctor. Or does that just apply when it's a woman killing her unborn child?

[tod evans]

Everything government gets involved in it $#@!s up.

First politicians send youngsters to war then they try to penalize them for trying to recuperate...

Find me one vet that wouldn't forego their meds if they could instead watch politicians dangle..........

[presence]

The only problem I see here is that we can't grow opium and grass in our own $#@!ing back yards, self medicate as needed to treat our own bodies, all without involving the state or even the financial system.

/end issue

[presence]

[donnay]

When government gets involved you know there's a catch. SMDH

[specsaregood]

The only problem I see here is that we can't grow opium and grass in our own $#@!ing back yards, self medicate as needed to treat our own bodies, all without involving the state or even the financial system.

/end issue

Last I checked it was still legal to grow poppies, you just cant harvest/use it for medication.