Veterans Face Hurdles to Marijuana Access

WHEN LT. COL. DOUG Distaso retired from the Air Force in 2017, he left with a laundry list of service-related medical diagnoses – chronic pain, a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder – and a slate of opioids, muscle relaxers and other drugs prescribed to ease his symptoms. 

The drug cocktail, he says, left him in a medicated stupor. His wife was worried. He felt like he was at a dead end. 

Distaso's situation wasn't unique. Veterans experience chronic pain at rates high above those of the general population and are often prescribed opioids to temper their suffering. Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans are in the double digits and an average of 20 veterans die each day from suicide. [ READ: New Bill Removes Marijuana From Controlled Substances List ]Across the country, those with chronic pain and mental health diagnoses – as well as a litany of other conditions – are turning to medical marijuana as a viable treatment option. More than three dozen states have legalized medicinal cannabis and new marijuana legislation is being considered by state lawmakers every week.

But for U.S. military veterans accessing health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs health system, obtaining and using medical marijuana is fraught with roadblocks, even in states that have legalized medical or recreational use.

Under current VA policy, VA doctors cannot prescribe or recommend medical marijuana to patients – including in states where medical marijuana is legal – because of the drug's status as a Schedule I controlled substance.

The system has only just, in the last two years, altered its regulations to allow doctors to discuss marijuana use with patients when veterans request information or when it has "clinical relevance," though veterans groups say veterans still frequently encounter doctors who are dismissive or judgemental when the topic is raised.
Read More