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More and more veterans are turning to marijuana for PTSD, TBI, and other types of debilitating illness.
Last month, the White House rejected a petition to allow United States disabled military veterans access to medical marijuana to treat their PTSD.
Former Air Force Sgt. Mike Krawitz, the executive director of Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access (VMCA), started the petition last year.
“For many, cannabis not only treats PTSD, it’s a lifesaver,” Krawitz told Military Times.
However, the White House remains unconvinced. The Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, released a statement saying that marijuana does not meet the standards for safe or effective medicine. “Simply put, it is not a benign drug,” he wrote.
Unfortunately, many veterans still claim that marijuana is the most effective tool at helping them overcome their PTSD symptoms and continue to use it, often throwing themselves into conflict with their doctors and, quite possibly, the law.
There are currently 17 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, where medical marijuana is legal. Only two of these states (New Mexico and Delaware) allow the use of marijuana specifically to treat PTSD. Even if a veteran lives in one of these areas, they are typically discouraged from participating in the program. If a veteran does not live in one of these areas, smoking marijuana could lead to the loss of medical coverage if discovered.
It is unknown how many veterans use medical marijuana programs since the VA doesn’t track them yet. What is known is that many people, and not just former military, are calling for the change. Veterans claim that marijuana significantly helps counter the debilitating symptoms associated with PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other types of chronic pain.
According to Dr. Sue Sisley, an internist in private practice and assistant professor of psychiatry and internal medicine at the University of Arizona, in an interview with The Arizona Republic, said that marijuana is extremely effective for veterans. She said many veterans turn to marijuana only after conventional medicine has failed. One study by Duke University in 2000 showed that taking Prozac was no more effective than a placebo at treating PTSD.
“It’s really uncharted territory for veterans and the VA,” said Dr. Sisley. “The VA has taken a position where they’re not going to terminate patients if they have a (medicinal marijuana license), but the truth is that a lot of doctors have a strong bias against it — they believe they are just drug addicts.”
Although there is certainly potential for any drug to be abused, these men and women are suffering and deserve every consideration. It’s unconscionable that some veterans have this option while others could lose their care or potentially be jailed for it. It’s time for a change.
Photo courtesy of Torben Bjorn Hansen.
83 Comments
As a veteran with PTSD, I think ALL avenues should be explored. Those who have not gone through this will never know the pain, anguish, hopelessness, anxiety and fear that comes along with PTSD. Some of us died there physically the rest of us died emotionally/mentally.
i have ptsd too. no i have never gone through exactly what you have, and i thank you endlessly till the day i die for ur courage. i agree with you. anything and everything should be explored. no one can understand the pain that comes along with ptsd except the person dealing with it. no one can say ” i know what you are going through” no you dont, you are not me. i can sympathize and understand, having personally been there for friends and family, even strangers as they vented and coped. if you EVER need to talk about ANYTHING please, dont hesitate,. im all ears.
I would like to add to this discussion. As a combat Veteran of Vietnam with PTSD I was not Dx till late in life. I just though life sucked. I started using Pot way back in the days after the war and I freely ament that I used it to run away from the demons that had fellow me home from the war. My demons did not care that I used it as it did not affect them one bit in fact they rather enjoyed it I think. I served in 1968 Dx in 1991 and use it up until four months ago when I came to realized that it just did not working for me, After all the years of using it my body became to use to it and I need more and more till I had to face the truth, It just did not do for me what I wanted it to do. So one day I just quit. I was amazed when in only a few day I could not help but notice that in many way I felt better than I had in a long time. My demons where still there and I was still at war with myself but I could feel that I was improving everyday. Until Last Wednesday. I had a case of terminal frustration. If you have never experience it, It is when all the little frustration comes together all at once to become one big ass monster and I lost it. and it scared the shit out of me and I know right them something had to change. I saw my shrink today let loss with a full broadside of what I thought of her and want she was doing to me. That it was not working not one bit and I demanded she come up with a new game plan. I had told her many times over the years of my drug use after I came home from the war and that for me I found one drug that when taken in low dosage made me feel “Normal” My systems for the most part became somewhat controllable what I thought we should give it a try and just see if it still hade to same effect on me. Wail after much time of me questing her ability to practice medicine she relented and agreed to my wishes. So today I stared on new regiment of a drug called Dextroamphetamine. Only this time it was a very low douse 5mgs once a day. And it was just like I remembered it. The first thing I notice was I like myself again I haven’t been able to do that in so long.
I think I am just rambling now, But the point I am trying get out is that Pot, At lest in my case did not work like I had hope there were some systems that seem to intensify wail I was stoned. Most notably I could not sleep for over 2 hours at a time with out needing more. So in closing (Finality) For me It did not work for what I was looking it to do. contrary to what a lot of people who spout the benefits MMJ, I personally think it is not miracle drug some would have you think. But that’s for me. Someday the VA, But more so the medical establishment will start using drug they now claim to taboo.
Okay that it. Signing off.
I hope stayed around for the big finish.
Peace and love
bye.
I have Ptsd and I say nope to dope as there are many pot heads usinf any open door to try and make their unlawful actions leagle
Just because you say nope to dope, doesn’t make you any less of a dope. Its spelled legal.
kendall is the real dope here 9th inf div 68-69
It seems that people ignorant to the scientific reaction with the body and cannabinoids are quick to judge people using cannabis as a medical treatment as being “pot heads” or “stoners” looking for a legal path. Research ” Rick Simpson’s: Running from the Cure (you can easily watch a full movie on youtube) and the “endocannabinoid system”. Educate yourself so that you do not sound so ignorant when people are trying to discuss a serious issue.
If you are caught using marijauna the VA will take away your medical coverage. However if you are taking any pain killers and signed a pain management contract they will take away the pain killers.
will *not* take away….whoops.
Out here in Nor Cal the VA will take away your pain killers if your on a Pain management program and using Medical Marijuana.
Incorrect, it all depends on your situation and how your PMP perceives you. I popped hot for MJ and was on vicodin for pain, nothing changed for me, you can’t generalize a statement like that.
It depends on the VA in your areas policy. The policy of my VA is if your on pain management you have to summit to random drug tests. If you piss hot for marijuana, script or not, you will be denied your pain killers.
The fact that cannabis is the only medicine that has not been allowed to be openly studied at our medical schools and institutions due to DEA restrictions speaks of how much power(money) the prohibition lobby has. Ask this question ” why hasn’t the FDA and medical scientist been allowed to do double blind studies of cannabis for PTSD”.
it is time for a change, I don’t know what the side effects of smoking this drug are, but medicines like Prozac have side effects too, my son at sixteen demolished his hip in an auto accident, now ten years later and not a candidate for additional surgery he suffers with debilitating arthritis and the only thing that gives him relief is marijuana, the laws need to be changed and appropriately the people who need help should be able to get it without facing the possibility of jail
After living with a Vet that suffers from severe PTSD, i belive that Cananbis should be studied as a means to treat it. My vet was on several meds that did nothing to help him and is still suffering severly. Anything that could potentially help the men and women should be studied and put to use! These Vets put the life on the line for us and are suffering everyday with the nightmare that is PTSD…and they are suffering needlessly if there is something out there that can help them!!
“Gil Kerlikowske, released a statement saying that marijuana does not meet the standards for safe or effective medicine.” …… They would rather you take a medication that causes TB, Leukemia, or might cause you to go ballistic and kill people. Population control? Plus if they legalized it, they would have to legalize hemp which would piss off the big oil and plastic companies.
And don’t forget the paper industry. Randolf Hurst dumped millions into to our federal level government to outlaw and ultimatey abolish hemp, just so his paper shares would continue have maximum gain and security.
I AM TOTALLY FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO TREAT PTSD BECAUSE IT WOULD BE BETTER THAN TAKING ALL THOSE PILLS THAT DO ABSOLUTALY NOTHING AFTER A WHILE. I PREFER TO GO WITH WHAT WORKS AND I BELIEVE THAT IT DOES.
What does congress know? I am a soldier diagnosed with PTSD and have seen first hand my friend who lost his legs, died multiple times and suffers from a serious TBI after being hit by a roadside bomb in Iraq 06′, smokes marijuana regularly and I can tell you this that he remembers more NOW than he sure as hell did 4 years ago. It calms him down and mellows him out. There needs to be a change.
i too have ptsd not from military but my child hood and i too use marijuana to help me cope i think it should be legal for all who suffer our goverment is takeing over all our lives and rights how sad do you remember when this was a free country …… i do
My primary, doesnt want to give me anything that would turn me into a dope addict….But asks between 1 and 10 wheres your pain level..its always @ or about 7….I have told her that I tried some pot to see if it would help and yeah it did better…multi coverage…anyways I hope they dont cut me off…then tell the social security people to cut me off further.
As a Vet with PTSD and living in SC, I believe the medical option should be expanded to include all vets. For the last 2 years I’ve been a prescription lab rat and I’m tired of trying new meds and they don’t work. We have sleep issues, sex issues, and just can’t concentrate cause of the pain. Here in SC i feel that the VA doesnt care about the vet it what the vet can prove. Well i proved i love my country. I’ve done my part and now for the last 20 years I’m getting the run-around trying to get proper compensation. I’ve been to places like Baltimore, Boston and New York and friends tell me to move ther to get my compensation set proper. I live here and shouldn’t have to move.Clinton @cujo731@homesc.com
the VA is not good at treating pain and PTSD – some vets do what they have to do to get by – the ‘Quality” of the foreign Dr’s they use is even less beneficial, cutting the meds that actually work and claim the vets don’t have problems even when documented in their records. Many of us feel like lab rats.
let’s be honest Nam Vet. the VA isn’t good at pretty much anything.
I have 5 combat deployments, 3 afghan and 2 Iraq. I’m 100% for PTSD and find relief through MMJ. I have numerous buddies in the same situation who are prescribed gallon size baggies full of meds and are worse off than myself.
Dose the Va prescribe you any other pills? I’m looking to switch from a gallon size bag of pills to just MMJ but dont want to lose my benefits.
Why are you even trying to continue to agervate these people? Havnt they been through enough suffering? Was you the one there fighting for this country going through the mass killing and all??? Is it you living day by day with all the physical and mental injuries and pain from it??? Did it disable you that you cant go through a daily thing with out major problem or memories and all showing up everytime you turn around??? Well I say that the United States owe them more than their lives. They fought so that we can live it up as some would say…. Let them be. What will it hurt to make it legal for them… Look at all the other stupid crap laws they are coming up with for other crap. Hell look at the facts about Pope… OMG just stick to fighting against that is is way dangerous…
I agree completely, but i’m sure their position is if they make it legal for this then the flood gates will open. One day they’ll wake up, I just hope it’s not to late.
It would be just like when they first make anything legal.. soon it just will fade.. Prices will go down on it becouse no one will have to hide to try and get it or sell it.. They just dont want ANYONE to be at least a little happy.. OMG everyone has to worry about everything.. or they wont be happy at all..
I am a vet with PTSD and I do NOT think smoking pot is an option. Buck up! Helping others who have needs is one of the best ways of getting past your pain, anguish, hopelessness, anxiety and fear. You do not need to turn to drugs. Drugs are a crutch. Get busy and stay busy. Stick to your sessions both private and in a help group.
Your a jackass! So because something works for you, it will work for everyone? Compared to what is prescribed, MMJ is relatively harmless.
DRUG COMPANY…..ARE THE ONE TO LOSE BIG TIME ! THEY DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN, ITS THE LOBBY MONEY …… WE ARE LEFT OUT IN THE HEAT AGAIN !! GOD BLESS AMERICA ! SEMPER FI !
thank you
I suffer from anxiety, ptsd, depression, and migraine headaches. All of these conditions are combat related. I did not complain when Uncle Sam called me to go to war and I don’t think that he should have the right to deny me the right to use a harmless substance that I know for a fact eases all of my conditions. It has been proven to be much less harmful than the alternatives they provide. If you do not think that it helps then, don’t use it but, don’t deny me the option.
I was on effexor which really zombied me out and the side effects were the cause of most of my issues physical issues. Once I stopped the effexor and smoked marijuana instead a lot of my physical issues went away. And it improved my social ability and has reduced my anxiety. Plus, I am still able to have emotions and minimal side effects. The only anxiety I have is the law and getting a job. I definitely believe that marijuana should be investigated more. The whole buckle up mentality is bs and these other drugs are bs too. The VA is a complete joke in my book when it comes to “helping” vets. I’ve tried the VA since 05 until the beginning of ’11. In the past 2 years I have made more progress in my life then they did in 5 years.
Although this is not a legal treatment, it is certainly something that should be explored. There are no medical professionals that will advocate self medicating, however, the study of treating PTSD is still evolving. I discovered there are too many “Dr. Feelgoods” within the VA system. I was recently diagnosed with PTSD after a brief clinical interview and administration of the Psychopathology Checklist – Revised (PCL-R), the first option for treatment was to automatically prescribe Zoloft…ridiculous…they even wanted to put me on an “experimental” drug treatment that’s in its infancy…
no big surprise……we are dealing with another govt agency with the VA. I firmly believe God put the Marijuana weed on this earth for a reason.
Why deny something that works for so many of us! Just like with all pain meds. Im a 64 year old Vietnam Vet 100% disabled. I have PTSD Rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcers to list a few of my problems. These 3rd world, foreign Drs. dont understand us at all. Its like looking and talking to a machine with a distant stare of their own. I lost my ins recently and had to start going to this VA “HOSP>” What a nightmare!!! The Drs. and especially the useless Pharmacy are totally incompetent. Ask for any pain meds, Marijuana and pain pills for severe pain and they give you Motrin. Everything about them sucks. Typical Govt agency! Pass the buck to someone else. Marinal was developed for this type of problem,…but is NEVER prescribed. I always feel like I am in a foreign country when I go there. And rarely receive any measurable help.
I thought I was humored by our attempt to stop marijuana..but now this just plain pisses me off….I had severe abdominal issues when discharged…after 8 years of service in Marine Corps and Navy…..when you literally bleed your insides out…it hurts and sucks…I would have appreciated something to ease the pain because regularly meds did NOTHING..by HIS grace it subsided after 3 years…I think we should approve because: we will never stop marijuana use- I can go to any neighborhood on the weekend and smell cannibus- even the rich smoke up.
Pharmacy companies need to stop blocking progress- if they cant control it or price it they want it stopped
we WASTE money trying to stop it and resources- try stopping theft and id fraud
The VA doctors think every patient is just a number and a drug addict, which is why they’re so hesitant on giving out pain-relieving medication (vicodin, percoset, etc). Veterans don’t dare ask for that kind of stuff in fear that the PMP will put something in their file that says “this person just wants free narcotics”. Start thinking outside the box, we have.
they would rather keep you all screw up with their meds.they put me on some shit ,and when ya wake up in the morning you would wonder who you were and where ya was at !!the doctor ask me then if i wanted to contitune smoking pot,i told him that it has kept me from killing anyone for over 45 years.he said i can give you a script for pot then..then i found out that congress passed a law saying that you dont have any 2nd addminment rights if you are pstd.that sucks and its fucked.so me and the va dont get along and i still have my rights,and still smoking pot.life is good and dont come fucking with me cause i have a suprize fer ya !!can you guess what it is ????
SMOKE ONE . . . THEY DESERVE IT FOR THEIR SACRIFICE !!!!!!
a private study (not VA) needs to be done ASAP to confirm who and it works for, pain and PTSD, and side affects, I ‘m guessing SE’s of meds being used are more dangerous than marijuana. Also if legalized with well publisized documentation hopefully eliminate much of social stigma, esp for older vets.
Unfortunately, because VA is large like the Federal Govt and DOD, they will never change their minds. I believe we will have to wait to the majority of the states to allow medical marijuana recommendations (not prescriptions btw), for the Fed/VA to change its legal stance. However, the effects of MM to my personal PTSD has been HUGE. Most people abuse Marijuana effects, but the availability of edibles and such for healthier non-smoking alternatives, the mind cleansing and clarity power of MM has changed my views of my PTSD. I also have searched many holistic and meditative treatments and have been seeing and thinking clearer than ever before.
I am a veteran with PTSD, and I smoke frequently. This is all after I tried many shrinks at the VA, and all the drugs they pushed on me. Unlike those pills, marijuana helps me immensely without the side affects brought on by medications, i.e. drowsiness, lack of sex drive, fuckin up my liver, etc. etc. Medical Marijuana is a lifesaver
i don’t think the people in charge even understand ptsd!they make it impossible for vets to recieve the proper care for mental illness like its something to be ashmed of!when are people gonna not treat mental health problems with a stigma attached.we are not CRAZY-we just need help!!
that sums it up from my experience with the VA staff. Its funny though the only one that has every really understood my issues was a counselor that didn’t have a phd and did give me solutions that worked in help with my ptsd.
As a veteran with PTSD I also found marijuana to be very therapeutic and effective in easing my symptoms. We shouldn’t have to beg for this, we deserve it.
Only someone who has PTSD can say what is effective in the way of medicine.. And if Marijuana helps then give it to them.. The government has already ruined their life, let them do what makes them feel better.
I would rather my 100% PTSD husband smoke than drink. When he drinks, his rage is uncontrollable. I think it was Katt Williams who said, “Marijuana has 3 side effects: Happy, hungry, sleepy.” Better than risk of suicide, or going into a blackout rage, as well as all of the physical side effects of all the prescriptions they have tried on him. All the meds to “calm him down” really just turned him into a zombie. He doesn’t do it often for fear of popping hot at the VA, but it works better, cleaner, and more effective than the numerous worthless prescriptions. And he’s not driving around high or doing it during the day. He would do it before bed to help him calm down and sleep. The VA needs to pull their heads out of their rear ends and look at this as an option and alternative to the mountains of pills.
Like most of our government, the VA is owned and operated by the Wealthy Elite, not by the millions of us who need it in our daily lives. If we had even a smidgen of the power that our government SAYS we have, then, for instance, the VA would NOT have so many ignorant idiots who claim to be doctors.
As for Marijuana… there are LOTS of controlled substances in use in the medical community, most of them are subject to abuse, and marijuana should at the very least be just another one of those.
Marijuana saves lives. When are they gonna get that through their heads?
I have a Civilian Psychologist that has Helped me for 14yrs. Doc, M. states I suffer from PTSD due to (many reasons) (too many to list) Active Duty. The VA Doctor won’t entertain the Thought. Good going for another VA Specialist that is a Retired Full Bird Colonel Dr. with Leestown Rd. VA in Lexington, Ky. Also, 3 other Drs. in Mich. are with Doc, M. Still can’t get a rating upgrade. I often think Pot could be the answer, FKK it ALL. dwt340@gmail.com
I feel like that the Dr. should ask the Patient if they are willing to try Marajuana,I mean at least there would be a documented history to follow & get results to see if it works. Sure there are people out there that will abuse any type of drug wether it be prescription or herbal. Now this plant has been used in medical way for years & years!,I’ve not heard of one death from direct use of marajuana,YES, from Meth,Heroin, Cocaine, But i feel that if this can help cancer pts. ,Why then not try & document on other types of illnesses, I broke my back & had to be fused from T-10 to the L-2, I live in chronic pain now every day of my life& I am on prescripton pain meds.,but If My Dr. said that he believed that I could become pain free or even just have more relief,I would try it,if it worked & it is herbal & not have all the other contaminents that are in These pharmasutical medications. I mean look what they have to put together just to make one drug,& then take a good hard look at all the Possible side affects,Which is more dangerous? Marajauna has been an herbal medicine for hundreds of years, used for the treatment of many ailments,has not been proven to have killed anyone & no suicides from it! I just think that it needs to be considered as a legal drug to be used ,& with each patient should be monitored,BUT STRONGLY AGREE FOR IT TO BE USED FOR TREATMENTS,Possibly even in Mental patients, I would love to know how it helps patients in the mental aspect, due to the fact that I have severe depression & Severe anxiety & panic attacks, also my oldest son is diagnosed,Bi-Polar with physcotic tendencies,hears voices talking to him. I believe there is a calming herb in marajuana! Thanks Karla Hicks my e-mail is as follows…..karlahicks46@yahoo.com
Im a veteran and I say medical cannabis will help and support your style of life. The goverment wont approve due to the fact they wont make any money out of it. We veterans must uniteand help each other out.
The VA, like most of our government, is owned and operated by the Wealthy Elite, not by the millions of us who need it in our daily lives. If we had any real say in things, the VA would for instance employ a LOT fewer careless and ignorant idiots who call themselves Doctor…. and the rest would be required to speak English clearly and fluently.
As for Marijuana… there are many controlled substances in daily use in the medical community, and most of them are subject to abuse. Marijuana should at the very least be considered just another one of those.
Marijuana saves lives. When are they gonna get that through their heads?
Also, their stated attitude towards pain is false and hypocritical. There are big signs all over the hospital saying “Your level of pain is determined by you. You are entitled to have no pain at all.” (Words to that effect) But in practice they still dispense pain meds according to the clock, not according to need. They might do something about it if we were compensated for enduring unacceptable pain while hospital staff merely says, “It’s not time for your meds, yet.”
As The mother And wife of Veterans that suffer from PTSD AND TBI I am 100% in favor if The legalized medical marijuana!
PTSD is a serious deal ….. Have been living with it since 1985 and have taken all the pills they have and nothing helps better than marijuana. The panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, and anger, “The nightmares never go away at least not for me.” helps all symptoms and does not hurt a soul and no man made chemicals, that are slowly but surely killing off all of us…..Take that to the bank my once great Government that I and millions of others fought and died for, for ever. What would it hurt? Who would it hurt? It has never hurt anyone! So whats the PROBLEM! We all gave! No its your turn to give back !!!! Big”D” I speak for all my Fellow Soldiers, who suffer, and for all that will in the future. ” If there where only peace with all , no one would have to suffer! “
I am 100% dav with ptsd. I dont understand if this is the land of the free why cant we use a natural pain releiver it doesnt just have to be smoked there is so many ways . I dont think that hydrocodon is very healthly but they hand it out like candy I never ben throu withdrawls from pot. go figure from pot but i see poeple out robbing old poeple for their pills.
I love their B.S. reason that it’s not a “benign drug”. I can’t go one day without seeing some commercial that involves a class action law suit because some drug or another that the FDA found “safe” has killed or seriously injured thousands of people. And don’t tell me it’s a coincidence that Big Pharma, paper companies, cotton growers, and energy companies make up over 70% of the anti marijuana contributions. The fact is it is really easy to produce and hemp can be used for a vast ammount of things. The sad truth is it’s not illegal because people can get high on it, it’s illegal because it’s a cheaper and cleaner multi purpose product which would take money out of the big corporations pockets.
With returning solder’s suicide levels at an all time high, disregarding the very real science behind cannabis and ptsd is a terrible idea.
http://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/36/11078.abstract?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=Dr.+Irit+Akirav+&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT
I lost my 29 year old son in January. He was a casualty of war by suicide. He was a proud Marine who spent 3 and a half years in Iraq and was diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, readjustment disorder, anxiety, etc., etc., etc. He suffered every single day of the past 5 years. He also abused alcohol. When he started smoking pot, we all noticed that his anger and rage subsided, he was more “in the real world”, and surely mellowed enough that he could carry on a normal conversation with his loved ones. He sought the help of the Dayton VA over and over and over again with the result always being Zoloft or Celexa. These medications did nothing for him. I am so angry at the VA for totally disregarding his emotional state when he pleaded for help. My real bitch is that his family could never get any information on his treatment. This is a travesty. Hello folks! FAMILY should be the first piece of the puzzle in helping our precious veterans heal. Without the knowledge that we so desparately needed about his diagnosis and treatment, we couldn’t have known what he truly experienced on a daily basis. I love him and miss him more and more every day. I wonder how I will go on living without him. If medical marijuana keeps them alive and living a somewhat normal life, I say DO IT. Fuck the powers that be!! They have no idea what our Veterans and their families are experiencing . . ..and the numbers continue to grow. As of today, we have lost more troops from Iraq and Afghanistan to suicide than what were lost in active duty . . . something has to be done and quickly. I send blessings and strength to all of you out there who have served our country proudly and urge you not to give up the fight!!! You deserve more than you are getting. INVOLVE YOUR FAMILY!!! We would do anything and I mean anything for you. We just have to know what you’re experiencing!!! My God ease your pain and make you whole again some day. A grieving Marine mom . . . .
My husband is a combat vet and rated at 100% for PTSD he also suffers a traumatic brain injury (just for the sake of space we’ll keep the list at that lol) and he uses MMJ.Even though we live in Missouri and MMJ is not legal. I think, as others have said, every avenue should be explored when it come to treating PTSD and TBI’s. I have seen my husband literaly live through hell dealing with these disorders and injuries and why should he be looked upon as drug addict for trying to trying to find a feeling of normalcy. It’s marijuana not heroin!!! These men and women have given a huge part of their lives for our nation the least the government could do is open up their minds to new medical treatments!! But the VA is willing to put these people with PTSD on so many meds that they become a “zombie”, as i’ve witnessed first hand with my husband. The VA is a joke and they’d rather but them on hard psychotropic drugs have them pass out and shut up so they don’t have to deal with them. Hopefully one day soon they will come to their senses and pull their stuck up noses out of their asses!!!
The big drug co’s. are paying gov. officials to prevent legalizing MMJ I wonder how much Kerlikowske gets from them?
If it helps them, let them have it. They have given so much to us; they deserve some relief. It has to be better than the hand-full of pills that the docs love to give them. I’ve seen too many people going around ‘doped’ up on legal prescriptions so bad they can’t function at all. Most doctors I’ve met are pill pushers. No one can feel good about themselves while choking down all those unnatural pharmaceuticals.
I am a Marine veteran who was prescribed all kinds of pills and other medications for PTSD and I have quit taking them all due to bad side effects, or them just not working. I have also smoked marijuana for some time now to help sleep at night and it is very effective but because of this it is hard to find work, and to even get an education in certain fields due to schools pre testing students to get into certain degree programs. I do not feel that this is fair, and will continue to use no matter what. Im tired of a government that has failed veterans in every way possible telling me I cant help myself when their answer to everything is more pills.
Give the vets what they need! Kiss their asses if they need it! They gave to us!
i have my card and its the only thing that stops me from fliping-out
As a Vietnam era veteran I came home in 68 and found I did not fit. Home was no longer home. Drinking , drugs and a completely out of control life was what I had. I was told by a Va doctor and many more that I have PTSD. For years I sought help from the VA for PTSD to no avail. I still have great deal of problems feeling like I fit in. Always I feel I am on the outside looking in. Looking for the buddies that had my back. I learned the Va in my oppinion cares nothing about weather I live or die. I know I am not alone in feeling like this. I was put on disablity for PTSD by social security as the VA said I was only 50% disabled and turned me down for the finanial help I sought. I have one thing the military gave me I use each day. ” I am a Marine.” I will not give in to the Va or any one else. I will move forward as best I came each day. My dog lives in a better house than I but like me he owns it. If smoking marijuana helps with PTSD and I know it did in the past when I came home let these vets have the right to use it. We offered up our lives in defence of this countries freedoms like our fathers before us. Don’t tell us thank you by now turning your backs on us like you are now doing.
1) Marijuana is NOT addictive in the physical sense, psychologically is another factor. 2) I have been using Marijuana for treating pain and PTSD off and on for more than
30 years. It helps a lot!
3) In more than 5000 years of marijuana use, not one death nor any true ‘overdose’ has ever occurred.
4) There may never be a cure for PTSD but Marijuana does alleviate many of it’s
symptoms.
5) PTSD can leave you feeling more isolated than anything else I know of. It affects
the way you relate or fail to relate to family, friends and co-workers. It is often
accompanied by symptoms of paranoia, as well as a resistance to established
established authority if wrongdoing is perceived. 6
6) Those of us with PTSD only wish to live as normal a life as possible. We are not
any different than anyone else, we have the same hopes and dreams that you
have.
7) This country still cites “In God We Trust” on our currency, I ask if we truly trust in
God then why does our Govt. Still insist on condeming the use of a
natural plant that the same God put here for our use?
I don’t have PTSD but I do suffer from chronic pain due to three ruptured discs, degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, nerve damage throughout both legs, four vertbrea that move out of place and lock once twisted and both hips that don’t rotate properly. Severe pain is an understatment. What does the VA do? Load me up with narcotics that stop working within 2-3 months and then refuse to change my medications until I argue enough. In order to not deal with the BS of having my meds changed I started smoking Marijuana to dull the pain. Sadly, it works better than the narcotic pain killers they give me!!! It’s not legal where I live so if I want to be functional I have to risk losing everything while spending the little money I have since I cannot work and the VA has ignored my requests to be re-evaluated for a higher disability percentage. Why should we have to hide the fact that we’ve found something that works for us by ourselves, without the help of the incompetent doctors at the VA! I don’t want to hide it anymore and shouldn’t have to!!! “Serving those who have served” my ass!!!
Semper Fi!!!
Our Veterans will willing to put their lives on the line for our freedom. Yet so, so many are coming home & still fighting their own war. Which according to my son is worse than IRAQ. He has PTSD/ TBI & chronic pain. I agree with Marine0351 ALL avenues should be explored. This country uses & abuses veterans / military. The VA has done NOTHING for my son for pain! Actually took him off some pain meds that were helping slightly claiming abuse!!!!! Really????? THe script lasted 5 days longer than it was written for. I watch the pain physically/ emotionally his is in daily. He tells me he lives in hell; when he’s awake the pain & anquish. When he tries to sleep he enters that hell of nightmares. VA just seems to think he’s exaggerating!! BULLSHIT. I agree just make weed legal.
For me personally, marijuana worked wonders on my Alcoholism which was a direct result of my PTSD. It does little to nothing as far as treating my actual PTSD symptoms, but it Does keep me away from the bottle!
I’m 65, vetnam vet, low-income so I go to the V.A. I have bad back pain so I’m on methadone. 3 times I have o.d.ed on it not even trying to, the stuff is so dangerous, one little miscue and you’re down and out. I tried pot but don’t like it much, then someone tells me there are differnt kinds, so I found some that didn’t make me paranoid or too high, it works pretty good, it kind of distracts my mind and not feel the pain so much, I also don’t need meds to help me sleep. My VA doctor said if could prescribe it he would, but he can’t. P.S., one more thing, the VA I go to is really good, the doc are A-1 the shrink are not so good, I try to go through my reg doc for everything. Semper Fi
DocGay-As the old saying goes(If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It)Smoking the herb works for people with PTSD&TBI then let them have it.Troops in the Nam smoked ot be for patroles and fire fights,some said if they get hit they want feel it as much.True or not I can’t really say.If smoking a joint of marijana works for them,then give it to them.If it was legal by Federal standards and all States for sell for everybody think of all the $$$$ money the GOV.&States would make.It would help the National debt get some of the $$$$ money needed to get out of debt.What do you think people??S**T our Government officals spend $$$$money on HOOKERS and gifts for their girl friends while on GOV.business at times.So why not POT for our troops?De Oppresso Liber
I VOLUNTEERED FOR VIETNAM….WHAT A MISTAKE…..POISONED BY MY OWN GOVERNMENT WITH AGENT ORANGE….AND BEEN WAITING FOR COMPENSATION FOR 2 YEARS….HAVE A TERMINAL DISEASE AND FEEL THEY ARE WAITING FOR ME TO DIE AND THEN THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING. THE V.A. SUCKS….BIG TIME.NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON……I SERVED MY COUNTRY BUT THEY HAVE DESERTED ME. IF I HAD DONE THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT…..
any vet that has done time in combat saw and done things most never wiil see or do if that helps do it. I have been on it for over 45yrs and had a very good job in a high tech industry and worked their for 39 yrs till i had to take medical retirement from to many hard landings(got shot down) we laugh about what we did but that is only to keep from going crazy smoking not only helps for the physical pain but give the brain a break from all the memories that can jump out from any type of trigger that sets them off
TO ALL THAT HAS GONE BEFORE REST IN PEACE FOR TOMORROW WE MAY MEET
SAEP
This is ridiculous. Us veterans use our PTSD and our combat experience as an excuse to do a variety of things including recreational drugs illegally. To those who want to rationalize retarded behavior including using pot to treat PTSD, sorry but you gotta stop making excuses for your bs or you will have no one to blame for your homelessness, broken marriage, and estrangement from your kids and family but yourself…..and your PTSD. Go get real treatment and stop avoiding. Show the same testicular fortitude you did in combat in life. Don’t be a weak pussy blaming your drug use on the war when in fact you are making a choice to use drugs. The rest of us veterans who served honorable are tired of being compared to you impulsive, drug seeking, and weak-minded individuals.
I am for medical marijuana for PTSD and for TBI for which both i have. I hate who knows how many pills to try and help my pain and suffering i go though every day. When i wasnt in the military i use to use marijuana for pain and i also know i vet that gets some many different pain med to try and help him but he would rather use marijuana for pain which does work for. And i know many other that would agree with me. I found that marijuana is the only thing that works for my pain
it’s time to take a serious look and study on this potentially helpful drug. take the blinders off and keep an open mind while doing so,
All the us veterans that suffer from a drug that is used to give you permanent brain damage. The effects of it hits you within seconds and can be leathal in doses that are larger than 5 milligrams so if you are suffering from PTSD remember your military does not care. The drug that causes PTSD is phencyclidine given by the military to get ride of you and keep you from remembering anything if not just outright kill you. Other names used are pcp angel dust. There is no way to tell if you have ever been given this Micky drug it does not show in any kind of test. Google and read !!!!!!say no to dope!!!!!!!!!
Its hard to explain how it works. Lets first look at my brain. I was born with a brain that didn’t work like other children, something didn’t work.
My childhood mental state very close to low-functioning Autism. And a near drowning erased my memory, removed all of my feelings and I was diagnosed mentally retarded.
Again, I can’t explain how or what causes it to happen, but, after I smoke marijuana with a high CBD my mental ability is off the charts.
My head is clear, I can think and relate with what other people are doing. What I left out of this was that I started using it when I was 13, the same time I was learning how to read and write.
I have yet, to meet somebody who gets the same affect with it. Marijuana helps me to control PTSD, bipolar, ocd, schizophrenia-this started when I was ten years old.
Marijuana also helps me control anxiety, insomnia and depression.
I don’t suffer from PTSD. However I do suffer from depression, along with anxiety disorders, along with seven levels of spinal and disc injuries with degenerating bone and disc disease. Giving me an 80% total unemployable which grants me a 100% compensation.
I have been put on prescription oxycodone. Last week I received a letter stating that should I be suspected of using marijuana that I would be subjected to a pee test. And if failed to pass it the V.A. would stop my oxycodone. They gave me a thirty days to sign a paper stating that I would comply, and if I did not sign the agreement they would stop the oxycodone.
My ex psychiatrist as well as several past doctors knew that I was using the Marijuana and said if it works use it but that they by law could not advise it’s use. Do I have to comply or is this a across the entire V.A. System. Let me know at my e-mail papafiggy@yahoo.com