As many veterans continue to self-medicate using cannabis to ease post-traumatic stress disorder and other war-induced health problems, the Department of Veterans Affairs has discontinued its research into the drug, Politico reported Nov.
VA physicians are unable to prescribe cannabis or issue medical marijuana cards in the 36 states where it is legal given that cannabis is still classed as a Schedule I drug by the Justice Department, meaning it is seen to have no medical benefit.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has testified to Congress, urging lawmakers to increase research into cannabis use given the “substantial evidence” that it has the potential to treat chronic pain.
4 that would instruct the VA to conduct research into the use of marijuana in PTSD and depression and allow VA physicians to recommend medical marijuana.
In 2018, 18 veterans a day died by suicide on average, demonstrating the depths of the mental health crisis facing them.