Veterans may soon be able to use medical marijuana through the VA if a bill becomes law
(Source: KPHO/KTVK)
Veterans could soon talk to their doctors at the VA about medical marijuana, at least in the 23 states
where it's legal.
The change comes courtesy of a budget bill, passed Thursday by wide margins in both the House and
Senate.
The new rules in the bill prohibit the VA from using money to enforce the long-standing VA policy,
which prevents doctors from treating veterans with cannabis.
"It's a really important step forward for the veteran community. It opens the door for a dialogue with
their VA doctor about using cannabis as treatment," Dr. Sue Sisley said.
Sisley is a longtime medical marijuana researcher, who made headlines after she was fired by the
University of Arizona.
"A lot of veterans are tired of being treated like guinea pigs with prescriptions over and over again,"
she said.
Sisley says marijuana can be used to treat post-traumatic stress, MS, chronic pain, and other ailments.
"The stress relief is almost instantaneous. I know guys who relax as soon as they take it," Marine and
Army combat veteran Adrian Green said.
He suffers from war-related PTSD and chronic pain, and at times uses cannabis.
Currently, veterans have to buy marijuana on the black market and self-medicate, or pay out-of-pocket
to see a private doctor.
"Can cannabis help curb the epidemic of veteran suicide? We don't know yet," Dr. Sisley said.
She wears a dog tag with the number '22' on it, signifying the number of veterans who commit suicide
each day.
"That number has to stop. I'm not saying cannabis alone will stop it, but in some cases, it's the best
option. Right now, it's not even on the table," Green said.
The new bill opening the door to marijuana treatment at the VA could be signed into law this fall.
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