Vet Groups: Don't Let DEA Ban Recommending Medical Marijuana for Veterans

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Change.org has launched a campaign targeting The President of the United States and Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, urging them to not cut veterans out when considering laws to allow the use of medical marijuana.

Martin H. Chilcutt, PhD, a retired Psychologist with VMMA, Veterans for Medical Marijuana, says the DEA is preventing doctors at veterans' hospitals from recommending medical marijuana to patients -- even in the 14 states where medical marijuana is legal.

"The Veterans Administration is taking advice from the DEA based on the federal government’s assertion that marijuana has no medicinal value. This is especially tragic because of the widespread evidence that marijuana is a safe and effective treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which is all too common among our veterans," Chilcutt said.

Advocates for Veterans like John P. Allen, General Manager of the Veterans Today Network, says the problems Veterans experience are off the charts, and can in part be addressed.

In fact, in New Mexico for example, PTSD is the most common affliction for patients enrolled in the state’s strictly regulated medical marijuana program.

As it is, veterans who could benefit from medical marijuana, regardless of the legality in their own states, have to go outside the VA system and find new doctors just to learn about and try a potentially helpful medicine.

Chilcutt hopes people reading this sign this petition and tell the Obama administration that our veterans deserve better. They deserve to have doctors who practice medicine, not politics.

Salem-News.com Marijuana Coverage

Where and How to Smoke Legal Marijuana without Fear of Arrest in the U.S.

Eulogy of a Great Warrior: Hoss Plourde

The Ripple Effect How Marijuana Laws Are Impacting Society

Audit the Audit

Welcome Home, Tom

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

G 2/3; March 15, 2010 6:36 pm (Pacific time)

Legalize It!.,don't critisize it!

Anonymous March 15, 2010 6:05 pm (Pacific time)

The only way this will ever change is by congress. No one at the VA, or Obama, or any member of the executive or judical branch can change VA policy in okaying mj. Since most inpatient programs and some outpatient programs require blood tests, and that if thc is found, that's it for the veteran. I suggest all of your protests go to congress. What is Pelosi's view? Reid's view? Considering that an election is coming up and this is a hot potato, expect nothing to change. Getting a mainstream veterans organization to sign on would be helpful, but that may be extremely difficult.

[Return to Top]