WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs is being applauded by the American Legion for issuing policies making it easier for veterans who use medical cannabis to openly navigate the VA system, including talking to their doctors about it. It is now VA policy that providers and pharmacists "discuss with the veteran marijuana use, due to its clinical relevance to patient care," according to the VA directive.
"The American Legion applauds the Department of Veterans Affairs Directive 1315 which helps clarify access to Veterans Health Administration clinical programs for veterans participating in state-approved medical cannabis programs," American Legion National Commander Denise Rohan said in a statement. The Legion appealed to the VA in November to allow doctors to speak with their patients about medical cannabis use.
The results of a recent study released from the American Legion showed that 92 percent of veteran, and veteran caregiver, respondents supported research into the benefits of medical cannabis and 82 percent supported outright legalization of medical cannabis.
Armed with the results of the study and a series of speakers with powerful stories, the American Legion held a conference appealing to VA officials to reconsider their anti-cannabis policies, which treated cannabis as it is categorized by the federal government: a schedule 1 drug —the category which includes heroin and ecstasy.
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