A recent survey of military veteran households in the USA has revealed overwhelming support for medical cannabis.
The survey indicated 92 percent of veteran households support medical cannabis research and 83 percent said the U.S. federal government should legalize it nationwide.
The findings were published by the American Legion, the USA’s largest wartime veterans service organization that boasts more than 2.3 million members.
“The results are significant and reinforce The American Legion’s continued efforts,” says the organisation.
In August, the American Legion adopted a resolution urging the U.S. Government to allow Department Of Veteran Affairs (VA) doctors to provide information on medical cannabis and recommend it in states where it’s legal; which currently they are not permitted to do. The resolution also urged Congress to amend legislation to remove marijuana from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and reclassify it in a category that would at least recognise it having potential medicinal value.
Other results from the survey:
- 39% of households said they knew of veterans using medical cannabis
- 40% lived in states where laws permit the use of medicinal marijuana
- 22% of veterans surveyed were using it to treat a physical or mental condition
- The majority of veterans using medical cannabis were over 60 years old
- Support for research was consistent across ages, gender, political leanings and geography.
The group has also expressed concern over the disproportionate impact opioid prescription drugs are having on veterans – another area where medical cannabis may be of assistance. There’s already some research being done on this front specifically with this group. Earlier this year, we reported on a trial of cannabis as a treatment for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans. The Legion wants to see more research in this area.
“Many veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain – especially those of the Iraq and Afghanistan generation – have told The American Legion that they have achieved improved health care outcomes by foregoing VA-prescribed opioids in favor of medical cannabis,” states the Legion.
The PulsePoint IVR survey was carried out between October 8 – 10, 2017.
