5 Must-See Cannabis Documentaries You Can Stream Right Now
by Kat Helgeson
A federal commission that was asked to generate recommendations for military veterans suffering from mental health issues has come to an unexpected conclusion. Following months of meetings, the Creating Options for Veterans Expedited Recovery (COVER) Commission released its report in January 2020. Despite the novelty of its drug policy findings, the document has gone largely unnoticed by reform advocates and the media. The commission tasked with developing recommendations to improve mental health treatment for veterans concluded: Congress and the executive branch need to promote research into the therapeutic potential of cannabis and psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA.
Throughout its research and deliberation processes, the commission put the needs of veterans at the heart of its work. The commission strove to conduct a comprehensive, evidence-based review of key treatment modalities; held public meetings; met with a broad range of organizations and clinical providers; made site visits to VA facilities in different regions; and, perhaps most importantly, directly engaged veterans throughout the nation using a variety of channels, including listening sessions and focus groups.
The panel, led by Jake Leinenkugel (a presidential nominee), asserted that psychedelics, such as MDMA and psilocybin, as well as cannabis, present promising ways to treat mental health conditions among military veterans. The panel also noted that while medical cannabis and some psychedelics have been used while treating military veterans, the Schedule 1 status of these substances prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) from doing any research about the efficacy or risks of these treatment options.
The supply of research-grade cannabis, together with other controlled substances, is woefully inadequate. The panel also wrote that using medical cannabis and psychedelics as treatment options for military veterans has cost implications and yet there is limited information about the efficacy and risks associated with these products. The VA was therefore urged to conduct rigorous research so that answers can be obtained about medical cannabis and psychedelics.
“The U.S. federal government’s policies have blocked externally valid, randomized clinical trials on the effects of cannabis,” the report says. “Scientists seeking to conduct research on cannabis must submit to an arduous application process that may last years. The research requires approval from multiple government agencies, including some with stated opposition to any therapeutic uses of cannabis.”
In the same vein, physicians working with the VA need to be equipped with research-based information about cannabis, MDMA, and psilocybin so that they can have meaningful discussions with the military veterans in their care. Veterans across the U.S. are already using cannabis in compliance with state laws to treat a host of mental health conditions.
Since the panel has members selected by the President and those co-opted by Congressional leaders, analysts say sector companies hope the report will be given the seriousness it deserves and prompt action taken to correct the problems identified. Based on testimony in past hearings, it’s unclear whether VA will be inclined to embrace the COVER Commission’s recommendations, as department officials have stood opposed to several modest cannabis reform bills that were discussed in committee last year.
Such a shame these people are still so against a plant that has so many benefits. I am not a Veteran, however, I have suffered from my own version of PTSD for a while due to some of the things that I’ve gone through my past. And I am so grateful to finally have my medical marijuana card. I never knew how it felt to feel OK. So the fact that they are unwilling to profoundly help those who have willing sacrificed their “ok” for everyone in this country is heartbreaking. All Veterans deserve better. Much better. Even if it’s using cannabis for pain control instead of becoming addicted to heroin from using prescription pills.
As legalization and normalization of cannabis continue to spread, many cannabis consumers are making attempts to grow their own. Laws vary by state but increasingly people are choosing to sprout their own green, often by purchasing clones. Clones that are sold are supposed to be female as that is the gender that produces the flower….
For those suffering from depression, finding the right way to manage the condition can be a difficult battle. Though traditional antidepressants are a good option for many, for some, the side effects may make them a difficult choice, while for others they simply prove less effective than would be desirable. But research now suggests that…
By now, we have all seen that the quality and potency of cannabis is increasing and improving compared to long ago and even compared to a while back. Logic would suggest that when consuming cannabis of higher potency, it would increase the cannabis concentrates found in blood while increasing intoxication and effects. However, a recently…
Did you know that during childhood and your teen years, your body is busy adding on new bone much faster than it can remove the old bone? However, now that you’re an adult, you’re losing bone faster than you can make it. For some people, their bones can be riddled with problems, and since we…
We’re going to Disney is a phrase that many people have been waiting to hear their entire life. The attraction and aww of Disney World has pulled the attention of young and old alike for decades. If you take a visit to Disney World, you can do some pretty amazing things. Today Disney World Is…
Before we get into some suggestions on ways to bring up cannabis with those anti-cannabis family members, let’s remember that some people…
THC used to be something that was referenced when talking about hippies or stoners. Today THC has made its way off the…
On the 17th of July this year, a new study provides results which display cannabis as a safe and effective treatment for…
