Cannabis conversations--military members and VA.

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
I assist several veterans and now actively try to engage "the system" in conversations about cannabis use and legalization. Uncomfortable conversations, but needed to move forward. We have made progress but these conversations show that we have a loooooooong way to go :(
Here are 3 examples:

1. my wife and I volunteer at Yellow Ribbon events. They had a thank you lunch recently. The Sgt who attended said thank you and talked about the challenges of military life---including a member's recent suicide attempt that luckily was not successful. So.....I catch the Sgt afterwards and ask if he'd like to hold a voluntary info session for any troops wanting to learn about MN medical cannabis program and legal CBD as another subject.
I briefly stated that cannabis is being shown to help with suicide prevention and mental/physical health.
----wrong guy to ask as he indicates a big NO and states part of his job is to "bounce" any Guard members who "touch cannabis". Sad indeed

2. at pickleball I chat with a nurse who helps at VA so I express frustration with VA their medical cannabis and legal CBD avoidance. She says for mental health issues they are using more ECT (electroconvulsive shock therapy). Internet is great for research and ECT is not like in the movies but holy-cow, it's at the radical end of options and it does cause a brain seizure, brain bleeding, kills some brain cells, short and longterm memory loss. Israeli study on PTSD is not concluded yet but is showing great results, yet VA goes with the ECT option.
FDA is also involved where ECT is approved yet never had to show it even was effective:
"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates the ECT device, has never required the ECT device manufacturers to produce clinical trials to prove the device's safety and efficacy."

3. At MN Vets Day celebration, the Gov elect Walz was there so I shook his hand and said what vets really need is full legal cannabis and he agreed. :)
Shortly afterwards, his aide was on tv saying Walz supports legal cannabis BUT it wasn't in his top priority group :(

There's still a lot of work to be done folks----keep pushing and talking
 

Monsoon

Well-Known Member
In Canada the government covers veterans cannabis costs up to CA$8.50/g. Not sure how much doctor support there is for it within the military but it's an option for those who want to use it. Might be worth looking into more to provide an example of how it's working in practice in a different country. Obviously it's easier without a Federal prohibition on medical cannabis.
 

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
In Canada the government covers veterans cannabis costs up to CA$8.50/g.
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Thanks, that is interesting info to file away for future use.
?? I know of a Canadian vet that got his vaporizer paid for ( reimbursed for his outlay).

Any knowledge about that aspect??
 

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
This link has info for the full policy, probably has to be a Volcano or Mighty Medic but some LP's offer vapes as part of their welcome package.
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Thanks.
Canada pays for vet's medical cannabis while US prohibits cannabis for their vets, inside offering up ElectroConvulsive Therapy. It's a sad state of affairs.
 

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
just trying to get CBD into the hands of those who need it and only rely on their docotrs ( SAD)... and THC, Holy Fucking Hell it would help too
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Yes, I asked the Sgt if I could just talk to interested troops on CBD as that is legal, and not even get into medical cannabis (heaven forbid we give vets the something besides electroshock or a buffet of really bad RX pills).
Our vets deserve access!
We all deserve access!!
 
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