Marijuana is an essential tool for many veterans across the country. Today we’ll look at a few organizations that exist to help veterans connect with medical cannabis.
Veterans and Cannabis
Cannabis is known to have a wide range of medical applications: treatment of glaucoma, migraines, cancer, HIV, depression, epilepsy, and much more. The list doesn’t end. But how does marijuana help veterans?
For starters, marijuana is a great tool for PTSD and chronic pain relief—both of which many veterans suffer from due to the intense physical demands of their positions.
Studies show a decrease in PTSD symptoms when marijuana is used for treatment. More research is needed to confirm these findings, but that does not negate that many veterans find great relief from monitored medical marijuana use. As with any treatment, a doctor’s guidance is imperative to increased success. But that’s the beauty of medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana is legal in 33 states. In all of these states, qualified doctors are waiting to offer their oversight and advice in PTSD and chronic pain treatment for veterans. However, more can be done to get veterans the help that they deserve.
That’s where the three companies we’re looking at today come in. They are Veterans Cannabis Project, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans For Cannabis.
1. Veterans Cannabis Project
The Veterans Cannabis Project was started in September 2017 by Nick Etten, a former Navy SEAL, investment banker, and US Naval Academy graduate. His resume is impressive, and if anyone is qualified to offer a hand in the fight for veterans it is Etten. The entire roster of VCP is impressive, too, and it appears that each individual involved brings something unique to the table.
The unifying factor, however, appears to be a dedication to veterans’ rights.
VCP mentions in part of their mission statement that they “believe medical cannabis saves lives and that veterans deserve full, legal access” to medical marijuana. This powerful statement encompasses what many in the medical marijuana community feel. All those who could benefit from medical cannabis should have access and the right to do so.
Education, advocation, and support are the three values that Veterans Cannabis Project lives by. These pillars are all vital in the struggle to boost veterans to the help they deserve.
2. Disabled American Veterans
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a nonprofit charity organization that “provides a lifetime support for veterans of all generations…” They claim to help over 1,000,000 veterans find positive and lasting ways each year. Their commitment and passion for veterans is nigh unprecedented.
DAV’s mention of cannabis is in a call for more research in marijuana’s treatment of PTSD, chronic pain, and TBIs.
For a nonprofit organization for veterans to appreciate and support cannabis research is massive. DAV has a wide reach, and their voice is an essential one in the fight for veteran rights, treatment, and support.
The org also has its hand in support of the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018, an act that seeks to increase medical research for veterans and their treatment with marijuana for PTSD and other ailments.
3. Veterans For Cannabis
Veterans For Cannabis is the last—thought certainly not least—organization to look at today. Veterans For Cannabis’s goal is to solve many problems that veterans face upon returning home and to civilian life.
Veterans are often dealt a bad hand. Due to trauma and physical stress, many are diagnosed with pain, PTSD, and a slew of other ailments. Oftentimes, veterans find it difficult to get the help that they need due to their unique histories in the armed forces.
VFC has teamed up with Medicinal Genomics and Potend LTD to provide veterans with access to what they call “genetically certified DNA sequenced” strains of medical marijuana. The concept is fascinating, and their entire mission can be found on their site. It’s worth looking at.
This organization is founded by a veteran as well. Joshua Littrell is a combat veteran of tour overseas tours. He began his adventure with medical cannabis after he discovered its medical uses. Littrell reportedly used medical cannabis to get off of many prescription medications that he was using to treat PTSD. That in and of itself is a huge indication that veterans aiming to help other veterans find healing through cannabis is a movement to not only cheer on but to directly support.
I, have cancer and wait a transplant. Thc has helped me coup with the side effects, pain and my ptsd.
Outstanding article! I’m glad to see this subject being discussed more and more. I myself here in NY state use the medical marijuana program. It’s got a lot of red tape. Veterans should have complete and full access to growing, and manufacturing there own oils, edibles, etc. keep writing about it please! Maybe one day I won’t have to spend so much on my medication. I go without most of the time become of costs. Anyways thanks again for the article