Medical Minute with Nurse Jordan

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 Census 2 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 study 3 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 study 4 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.”

VA doctors are allowed to discuss medical cannabis with veterans as a course of treatment. Do not be afraid to speak with your doctor at your next appointment. Something to remember is that your plant medicine will not be available at the VA pharmacy. You can only purchase medical cannabis at a legal dispensary in your area. The recommendation you receive to use medical cannabis will not be covered by VA benefits. It is called a recommendation and not a prescription because cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug and no physician is allowed to write a prescription for a Schedule 1. Therefore it is called a recommendation. The cost incurred for receiving and maintaining your medical cannabis card is borne by the patient

ARE THERE ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP VETERANS WANTING TO USE CANNABIS? We now have medical cannabis available in 33 states and recreational cannabis is available in 11 states. Now men and women who have served in the US military and are over the age of 21 have options to receive the medicine they need. As these states adopt their new policies, we are beginning to see more and more organizations form to assist veterans in the process of obtaining cannabis as well as providing veterans a safe space to imbibe. One of those organizations is called Veterans for Natural Rights. They are a 501c3 and their mission is to build a community of support and resources for veterans and civilians alike. They proudly embrace freedom, self-reliance, independence, liberty, and equality under the American flag while promoting natural treatments, activities and an overall sense of well-being. Veterans for Natural Rights builds communities throughout Colorado and now are branching into other states. They want to provide spaces where veterans can heal, find their voice, and change the world. They are specializing in helping those with PTSD and other Mental/ Behavior health issues related to trauma

regain their lives, their purpose, and their sense of community. If you are interested in learning more please visit their website at www.veteransfornaturalrights.org Another amazing organization is known as Veterans Cannabis Project. They operate as a 501c4 and are based in Washington D.C. Their goal is to make major impacts on policy at the National level. The organization is dedicated to improving US veterans’ quality of life through the opportunity of cannabis. Their goal is to empower veterans to live healthy, fulfilling lives, while advocating on their behalf for unrestricted and supported access to medical cannabis through the VA just like any other medicine. If you are interested in becoming an advocate please visit their website at www.vetscp.org for more information.

References: 1. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 2.https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?q=veterans&page=1&stateGeo=none&searchtype=web&cssp=SERP&_charset_=UTF-8 United States Census Bureau. 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 3.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161813X19300774?via%3Dihub Journal of Neurotoxicology, Cannabidiol (CBD) use in psychiatric disorders: A systematic review. StefaniaBonaccorso, AngeloRicciardi, CarolineZangani, StefaniaChiappini and FabrizioSchifano. August 2019. 4. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00952990.2019.1604722?- journalCode=iada20 The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, A cross-sectional examination of choice and behavior of veterans with access to free medicinal cannabis. May 28, 2019. 5. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/marijuana.asp U.S Department of Veterans Affairs.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

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