In this column, our readers have the opportunity to ask our staff nurse anything they want to know about using cannabis plant medicine. She will provide concise answers to big questions. In this issue, we dive into veterans using cannabis for PTSD and depression, the effects on VA benefits for the use of medical marijuana, and which organizations can help veterans wanting to explore plant medicine. Read on as we explore some commonly asked questions about veterans using cannabis.
WHY DO VETERANS USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA? The list of reasons is ever growing. Probably the most documented reason is PTSD. Several states that have medical marijuana programs already have PTSD added to the array of approved diagnoses to receive a medical cannabis card. Other approved conditions vary state by state. They include, but are not limited to: nausea, anxiety, traumatic brain injury, pain, persistent muscle spasms, cancer, and chronic nervous system disorders. If you are a veteran suffering from any of the above conditions, you can make an appointment with a recommending physician to receive your medical marijuana card. Some states like Oklahoma, leave the decision to recommend cannabis therapy up to the discretion of the treating physician. If you live in a state with a medical cannabis program, do your research. You can also ask the local VA for the best way to get started.
DOES CANNABIS HELP WITH PTSD? According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America,1 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a potentially debilitating disease that results from natural disasters, personal trauma, or witnessing/experiencing otherwise horrific, scary, or unusual events. The US Census2 reports there are currently 18.9 million veterans in the United States. More and more veterans are reporting symptoms of PTSD, and they are seeking natural solutions instead of being bombarded by prescription pills. Although more research is still required, studies are beginning to show promising effects for patients suffering from PTSD. In one study3 published in August 2019, the use of CBD for psychiatric disorders was reviewed. Cannabidiol appears to possess antipsychotic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-craving, and pro-cognitive effects. All of these benefits could greatly enrich the lives of many veterans naturally. Another study4 published in the The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse looked into what routes of administration and what type of cannabis formulations veterans are using thanks to the programs that are happening nationwide to assist veterans with access to cannabis plant medicine. Their findings suggest that more guidance is needed regarding the selection of cannabis-based products, particularly as barriers to medicinal cannabis access are reduced.
WILL I LOSE MY VA BENEFITS FOR USING CANNABIS? According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,5 if a veteran lives in a state that has a medical cannabis program and the veteran applies, the eligibility of their benefits will not be affected. The fact that veterans will not be denied benefits for the use of medical cannabis is huge. It is important to note that VA doctors are not the doctors that can write recommendations. If a veteran is seeking to use medical cannabis they must go to a recommending physician that is approved in the state they live. This can be found by doing a quick google search for “getting my medical marijuana card local.�
10
