Citation

Titus D. Harvard J. Legis. 2016; 53(1): 39-58.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Harvard Law School)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Recent years have brought about a rapid shift in the approach that many states take towards the utilization of medical marijuana. Currently, thirty-nine states, the District of Columbia, and Guam have legalized some form of medical marijuana. Despite this progress, federal policies continue to inhibit United States veterans from obtaining the relief that such laws provide to other citizens. There are many sobering statistics regarding the abnormally high rate of drug addiction and suicide among veterans. Currently, too many veterans suffering from lingering pain or post-traumatic stress disorder are unable to obtain access to medical marijuana and instead must resort to self-medication or reliance on potentially addictive opioids. Policymakers need to act now to ensure that the men and women who served their country in the armed forces have access to the medical care they need. The federal government must formalize its current practice of not prosecuting under federal marijuana laws in states that have adopted medical marijuana programs. Congress and the executive branch must act to give Veterans Affairs doctors the latitude to openly discuss medical marijuana with their patients and help them obtain medical marijuana cards and treatment in the growing number of states with medical marijuana programs. Further, this administration needs to lift the remaining barriers to research on and testing of the medical benefits of medical marijuana. © 2016, Harvard University. All rights reserved.

Language: en