| Medical Marijuana Testimonial | After spending 24 years in the military I never thought I would ever use marijuana. I even voted against it. After being prescribed various medications for a number of my conditions I didn't see any improvements.I did research on all my medications and the side effects were disturbing. Read about medical marijuana, tried it and I am glad I did. It truly helps me. |
| Strains you Like | green crack, blue dream, fruit loops, mango kush, cotton candy, sour diesel, girl scout cookies |
| Conditions | Arthritis Gastrointestinal Migraine |
| Symptoms | Inflammation Muscle Spasms Pain: MuscleJoint Pain: Neuropathic Pain: Phantom Limb |
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Testimonial - Thought I would Never Try Marijuana
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Marijuana Treatment for Veterans
 |
| PTSD and the Military |
Medical marijuana has been shown through studies to support patients with all of these conditions. Veterans with a medical marijuana prescription report that cannabis has fewer side effects to their treatment than other prescribed medicine.(Source) This is an excellent option for veterans. Unfortunately, the US military has a zero tolerance for marijuana use for active military, which has existed since the Reagan administration.(Source)
Psychiatry.org has reported the need for better treatment than what is currently available to military veterans, stating :
• In 2012 there were more military suicides than death from combat
• Military suicides are at their highest rate in the last 10 years
• 8-20% of military doing tours in Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from a traumatic brain injury
• Traumatic brain injuries increase suicidal thoughts
• 20% of all suicides in the United States are from military veterans
• 300,000 veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have been diagnosed with PTSD
(Source)
Veterans and PTSD
Increase in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has recently been in the forefront of news about veterans. PTSD results in suicide making discussion for treatments a hot topic. Studies have shown that on average 11-20% of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom veterans, 10% of Desert Storm veterans and 30% of Vietnam veterans suffer from PTSD.(Source)
Veterans and Suicide
Statistics have shown a 20% increase in veteran suicide since 2007. Experts believe this is due to the increase in the use of the prescription drug Lorazepam. This drug has been prescribed to treat depression, anxiety and insomnia with a dangerous side-effect of feelings of suicide. Other veterans self-medicate with alcohol and prescribed medications that can lead to suicidal thoughts.(Source) Traumatic brain injury, which has been prevalent in the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, often results in an increase of these thoughts of suicide.(Source)
Research that Show the Benefit of Cannabis for Veterans
Research has concluded that cannabis can treat many of the conditions from which these veterans suffer. Use of marijuana increases a cannabinoid named 2-AG. This in turn helps to reduce swelling and toxic chemicals released during a brain injury.(Source) In 2010, a Canadian study found that smoking 3 puffs of marijuana a day relieves pain and insomnia.(Source) In 1986, it was found that cannabis affects the benzoiazepine receptors of the brain thus reducing anxiety.(Source) Research conducted at McGill University showed low doses of THC helped to relieve depression.(Source) These conditions are closely related to PTSD thus offering relief with marijuana in the way it effects the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the brain.(Source)
Source:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/basics/how-common-is-ptsd.asp
http://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-how-medical-marijuana-saves-the-lives-of-many-war-veterans--n67?utm_content=buffer68a3d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
http://www.vancnorthcounty.org/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2950205/
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/6/marijuana-presents-dilemma-for-military-as-more-st/?page=all
http://psychiatry.org/mentalhealth
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/traumatic-brain-injury-may-increase-suicide-risk-for-military-personnel/
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/000632238690003X
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071023183937.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117202
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Zero Tolerance for Marijuana in the Military
 |
| Veterans Equal Access Act Released Dec 3, 2014 |
The U.S. Military holds a
zero tolerance for marijuana use. Federal laws govern the military
on cannabis use. New policies and studies from the federal
government show promise of a policy shift to allowing
medical-marijuana for military veterans.
Marijuana possession is a
crime under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Military
personnel can be penalized with a court martial. The zero tolerance
also includes military families on base. Possession can result in
eviction of housing or loss of job on the base.(Source)
There are 23 states that
have legalized medical-marijuana. Military personnel in these states
still have to adhere by the federal and UCMJ laws. Seventy-five
percent of the soldiers were drug tested at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
in Washington in 2013. Of the 30,836 soldiers tested, 250 tested
positive. This is down from 2012 which had 315 testing positive. At
Fort Carson in Colorado they tested all 26,000 soldiers having 254
test positive for marijuana in 2013.
“The results of our
continued drug testing demonstrate the commitment soldiers have to
the Army profession, regardless of a state’s legalization of
marijuana,” Army Spokesman Lt. Col. Benjamin Garrett commented on
the zero tolerance for marijuana. “With 98 percent of the Army
population testing negative for illicit drugs, soldiers demonstrate
their ability to take responsibility for themselves, reinforcing the
fact that our drug testing program is working.” (Source)
Signs of Change for the
Zero Tolerance
The
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2010 stated that veterans may
use medical-marijuana in states where it is legal. Under federal law
it remained illegal for VA doctors to recommend cannabis as
treatment. Veterans wanting medical-marijuana would need to obtain
the prescription from a civilian doctor. This statement allowed
veterans to not fear losing benefits if they used marijuana.(Source)
The U.S. Government in
March 2014 approved to study for marijuana treatment for veterans
with PTSD. The study will have 50 veterans with PTSD use different
amounts of marijuana in a vapor or smoked form. This study may show a
shift in federal policy with regards to marijuana and the use in the
military.(Source)
On December 3rd,
2014 the Veterans Equal Access Act was released. It would allow VA
doctors to prescribe medical marijuana for veterans.(Source)
This comes at a crucial time for veterans when many suffer from PTSD
and other conditions. Currently Arizona, Connecticut, Maine and New
Mexico recognize cannabis as a treatment for PTSD.(Source)
The VA working at a federal level may help open the doors for many
other states to qualify PTSD as a condition that medical-marijuana
can treat.
Source:
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/new-bill-would-allow-the-va-to-recommend-medical-marijuana/article_6ce3f13f-28d7-5084-8ebf-7c9d70a74fa9.html
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