Arizona is one of the few states in the country that has a medical marijuana policy that allows the distribution and sale of medical marijuana for the treatment of certain disorders. Veterans in that state are now demanding that post-traumatic stress disorder also be included as a qualifying condition in the program. Currently, Arizona’s medical marijuana program only allows the sale of marijuana to treat certain conditions, like cancer and chronic pain.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs allows the use of medical marijuana by patients in the treatment of medical conditions when they’re living in states that have such policies in place. However, the Department Of Veterans Affairs does not actually recommend the use of marijuana for treatment. That is because the sale of marijuana -medical or otherwise – is banned under federal law.
Currently, there are 17 states that have medical marijuana programs in place, but there is no information about how many veterans are using these programs. However, many program advocates believe that more and more veterans are turning to medical marijuana programs to treat PTSD symptoms that they return with from combat.
California veteran benefits lawyers believe that veterans are using medical marijuana to treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as well as traumatic brain injury. Many veterans who return from combat with severely debilitating injuries like amputation may suffer from chronic physical pain and may use medical marijuana to help treat the pain.
As far as medical marijuana is concerned, the federal administration has been sending out frustratingly mixed signals. In states, that do have medical marijuana policies in place, the federal administration has been cracking down on dispensaries, stating that these activities are illegal since pot is banned under federal law. That means a severe hardship for patients who depend on medical marijuana to treat their symptoms.