Bill Proposed To Protect Veterans From Losing Benefits for Using Medical Marijuana
Republican congressman, Greg Steube, recently filed a new bill that would protect military veterans who use medical marijuana from losing their military benefits.
Doctors of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are permitted to discuss and document cannabis usage with patients, and veterans are protected by agency policy from losing their benefits. However, according to the new bill, this policy would be placed into a federal statute so that it could not be altered in the future.
Currently, VA doctors are unable to provide a recommendation to veterans for medical marijuana treatment. Under the new bill, this guideline would remain and veterans would be required to receive a recommendation from a non-VA provider.
How Can Medical Marijuana Help Veterans?
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 15 of every 100 veterans experience PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by exposure to a trauma. This condition can lead to symptoms such as heightened reactions, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, depression and more.
Fortunately, medical marijuana can be a beneficial treatment option for veterans who are living with PTSD. Cannabis treatment can help alleviate the following symptoms associated with PTSD:
Relieve anxiety and depression
Minimize hallucinations
Improve quality of sleep
Alleviate chronic pain
Reduce stress
Improve overall mood
Enhance focus and concentration
If you are a veteran interested in medical marijuana treatment, we are here to help! We understand that receiving a medical marijuana card is deeply important to our veterans and we want to help by offering a $20 discount towards your evaluation. Give us a call today at (866) 457-5559 to learn more or schedule an appointment.