Senate OKs VA Docs To Authorize Medicinal Marijuana for Veterans In States That Allow It. Good Idea? Bad Idea? Indifferent?

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 19:52:29 -0500

On the eve of Veterans Day, the Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would for the first time allow Veterans Health Administration doctors to authorize medical marijuana use for patients (NON-ACTIVE DUTY).

The Veterans Health Administration currently does not allow its physicians to discuss marijuana as a treatment option with patients in the nearly two dozen states with medical pot laws, forcing veterans to turn elsewhere for guidance and the paperwork necessary to acquire the drug.

State medical marijuana laws vary greatly. Some allow only a small number of conditions to be treated with the drug, while others like California have famously lax guidelines. The Obama administration largely tolerates state medical (and recreational) marijuana programs, despite marijuana possession for any reason outside limited research remaining a federal crime.

The Senate legislation won’t change the federal illegality of using marijuana as medicine or open the door to greater legal research through changing its classification as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act – which deems it without medical value – but it’s nonetheless a big win for reform advocates.

"We see this victory as a step toward a peace treaty with the government we volunteered to defend with our lives and as a step toward restoring our First Amendment rights and dignity as citizens," said T.J. Thompson, a disabled Navy veteran, in a statement circulated by the Drug Policy Alliance.

The news came as activist Garyn Angel arrived in soggy McPherson Square in downtown Washington, D.C., to prepare for a pro-medical marijuana demonstration. Angel, the founder and CEO of Magical Butter, plans to lead a group of veterans to the White House on Wednesday toting a giant pill bottle and touting marijuana as an alternate treatment for PTSD and other conditions.

"It’s an exciting time for veterans," Angel says. "Veterans should have access to cannabis regardless of their ZIP code," he adds, something that would require farther-reaching legislation.

The Senate measure was adopted by the Senate Appropriations Committee in May by a vote of 18-12, with four Republicans joining Democrats in favor. The larger spending bill to which it was attached – funding veterans and military construction projects – passed the Senate without opposition Tuesday.

The medical marijuana language still must survive a negotiated spending deal between leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The lower chamber narrowly rejected the proposal in April when it passed its own version of the bill.

But there may be cause for optimism. After House lawmakers rejected the companion amendment in a 213-210 vote (with 35 Republicans voting in favor), Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., told U.S. News he mistakenly voted “no” and that he “misread the amendment.” Another “no” vote, whose support could have assured victory, Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., told U.S. News the amendment didn’t go far enough.

The fact that the House version of the measure would have passed if Griffith and Garamendi voted in favor "should mean something," says Michael Collins, the Drug Policy Alliance's deputy director of national affairs, who believes significant bipartisan backing in both chambers boosts the chances of incorporation, even in the face of opposition from most Republicans.

A decision not to include the amendment would merely delay the inevitable, he says.

Last year, in what reformers hope will be a parallel, a spending amendment that passed the House but not the Senate, banning federal prosecutors and anti-drug agents from interfering with state medical marijuana laws, was included in a large spending deal that became law.

Senate OKs Medical Pot for Veterans

The House rejected the idea by a razor-thin margin in April, but there's a chance it will slip into compromise legislation.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Nov 11 at 2015 8:30 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:30:21 -0500

Key word being "veteran" as in discharged. And keep in mind that it is STILL illegal on federal property - such as if you then go to the PX....

Personally, I don't buy that there is anything that "Medical" Marijuana can do that can't be done by other treatments, but I don't care enough to fight about it. It appears to be the fad until people lose interest.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 11 at 2015 8:36 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:36:27 -0500

I'm confused, how can "law makers" dispense medical decisions? And further confused as pot has shown it can cause some to suffer paranoia, so how will this help PTSD? Interestingly the Senate did nothing to affect the legality of pot either.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 11 at 2015 9:04 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 21:04:49 -0500

Glad to see it.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 9:57 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 21:57:22 -0500

What people have to keep in mind is that medicine effects people differently. This would give the doctors another treatment option based on the patient. However, with all the negativity of the VA in the news, is it really a good idea to allow them the ability or trustworthiness to prescribe this type of treatment?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 12 at 2015 1:33 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 01:33:26 -0500

I'm sure you're familiar with my opinion on the legalization of medical and recreational use of marijuana, so I won't discuss that. But to answer your question, I absolutely think this is a good idea. Hell, I would try to get my medical MJ card, as it is "legal" here in AZ, if I didn't have a security clearance to maintain even though I don't smoke and have no desire to partake!

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 12 at 2015 10:29 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:29:30 -0500

I am against any mind altering drug or substance (including alcohol to excess). My spouse and I both have conditions that result in chronic pain and I would no more smoke MJ to relieve it than I would drink myself into oblivion to relieve the pain. If a state legalized the medical or recreational use of MJ, then the individual should purchase it from local stores. There many prescription medications that the VA will not prescribe that are proven effective, why MJ? And as stated by others, I am a reformed smoker since 1967.

Response by Maj Jeff Dodd made Nov 12 at 2015 10:52 AM

Maj Jeff Dodd — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:52:30 -0500

Interesting that the Senate approved the dispensing of a Schedule 1 narcotic (i.e. Still illegal to possess or use on the federal level according to the DEA) via the VA medical system. If it is to be legalized properly, MJ needs to be taken off the Schedule 1 list of narcotics at the federal level. I don't see this happening in my lifetime due to many factors that are too complex to get into on RP. I'll say this about that: I believe that someone suffering from painful bone cancer or some other similar debilitating injury should not be denied any substance which will ease their suffering, but to dispense MJ to a whiny housewife or factory worker for insomnia is a joke. I voted against recreational use and medicinal MJ legalization in FL last time it came up on the ballot because their were too many loopholes for it to be abused by lazy dirtbags potheads.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 13 at 2015 11:00 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 11:00:24 -0500

Why doesn't Congress first deal with the legality of dispensing marijuana? The Senate voting to authorize VA docs to prescribe it for their patients is like a boxing coach teaching a fighter to lean into a left hook when it's thrown at him

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 13 at 2015 11:15 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 11:15:13 -0500

I have to say that my opinion has changed now that I am no longer serving. If it is acceptable for me to take a handful of legal narcotics that tear up my liver, I would be willing to try it if it worked as well/better. I don't operate heavy machinery, work with humans, etc. since I'm unemployed. I'd rub a chicken foot if I thought it would help. The chance of people abusing the system is probably the same as prescriptions but it may be even higher. I'm just guesstimating. In AZ, they have signs everywhere to not even bother asking for it. I have teenagers and worry about the message it would send to them if I fire up. I guess too many years in the military has hard wired my brain to feel like I would be doing something wrong. If it was in a pill form I would be happier. At my age, I need to do what is best/easiest for my liver and onions. When you are in so much pain that you fear having to sneeze, you become much more accepting on pain relief.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 13 at 2015 10:48 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 22:48:52 -0500

I voted yes. I have a friend, who I deployed with years ago, who later was in a vehicle hit by an RPG. He suffers badly from PTSD. He is an advocate for this, and claims it helps him. I am no Doc, and am not personally a fan of any drug use, but...if it helps, it helps.
I don't see him, and would not hang around someone who is using, because of my status, but if it is controlled and it helps those who need it, then who am I to say no?
Do I see potential problems? Yes.

Response by PO1 Richard Knox made Nov 16 at 2015 10:30 AM

PO1 Richard Knox — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 10:30:29 -0500

Since our Government has been in the drug empire since the 40's why not. Compared to some of the drugs we're given for pain, marijuana may be one of the better choices. It's natural not man made and the side effects, excluding "munchies" are likely less destructive to the body (and brain) than chemical pharmaceuticals.

Response by CPT Topher Murphy made Nov 16 at 2015 3:03 PM

CPT Topher Murphy — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:03:38 -0500

Marijuana Use is Associated with Worse Outcomes in Symptom Severity and Violent Behavior In patients with PTSD. - Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2015; 76 (9); 1174-1180

summary is this: MJ use after treatment was associated with worse ptsd symptoms, more violent behavior and alcohol use. MJ may actually worsen ptsd symptom and/or nullify the benefits of specialized intensive treatment.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 16 at 2015 9:17 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:17:12 -0500

Should I buy a bong, bean chair, and cheetos?

Response by SSG Keith Fosmire made Nov 18 at 2015 4:45 PM

SSG Keith Fosmire — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 16:45:05 -0500

I believe the use of marijuana should not be or should ever have been controlled by the government. If they want a study done, use returning infantry and give them a choice between pot and alcohol. Only being allowed to use one or the other for 6 months. I am interested who gets in the most trouble. Even as a recreational use, it is far less damaging than the effects of alcohol. Alcohol has probably destroyed more families and careers than cannabis, you don't black out from smoking, no over dose, and no hang overs. It should never have been illegal in the first place.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Jun 2 at 2016 1:39 AM

SFC Marcus Belt — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 01:39:48 -0400

The Federal governments' position on marijuana is outdated and needs to be revised anyway.