“Let’s not kid ourselves: people are using marijuana – including our veterans,” Moulton, a former Marine Corps officer who served four tours in Iraq and is currently a contender in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race, told the Boston Globe. “Rather than ignoring this reality, Congress should let doctors talk with their patients about it, and we should learn more about cannabis so it can be safely used and properly regulated.”
Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts and Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida submitted the bipartisan bills on May 12, 2019, that would allow the following:
1) Enable veterans to discuss using cannabis with their doctors without fear of repercussions such as losing their benefits.
2) Direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a national survey of all veterans and VA healthcare providers to learn more about how many veterans are using cannabis and why.
3) Train VA doctors and staff to better understand cannabis use among veterans.
“One of the great tragedies of our time is the failure to adequately address the needs of veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan,” Blumenauer said in Stars and Stripes. Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, Blumenauer added that for some veterans, marijuana and cannabis derivatives are lifesavers that keep them from using addictive pain medications such as opioids.
“Opioids steal the lives of 115 Americans every day, as veterans with PTSD, chronic pain and any number of ailments are looking for relief,” Blumenauer said during the congressional hearing, as reported byMilitary.com.
“Lethal opioid overdoses among VA patients are almost twice the national average. We are doing something wrong.”
A 2017 survey by the 100-year-old American Legion found that 92% of its 2 million members supported medical cannabis research, 82% supported legalizing it, and more than 1 in 5 veterans self-reported using cannabis to alleviate a medical or physical condition.
The demand among veterans has grown even more since then.
According to a 2019 member survey taken by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA):
- 83% of its 400,000 members polled believe that medical cannabis should be legalized;
- 85% agreed that the VA should allow research into cannabis as a treatment option, and;
- 91% said they would pursue cannabis products for treatment if available.
