Post-9/11 veterans came of age amidst the opioid crisis. Many of us have buddies back at home who lost their lives due to an overdose, and many of us are eager to have alternatives to prescription drugs when treating our wartime wounds. This includes greater access to cannabis treatments. Currently, however, veterans who live in states where cannabis has been legalized completely are unable to even be prescribed cannabis for medicinal purposes by their doctor at the VA.
When asked if they would support legalizing cannabis at the federal level to ensure that veterans in every state have equal access to cannabis as an option for treating their wartime wounds, a resounding 71% of IAVA veterans said they did, while a mere 12% said they opposed. IAVA has consistently sought progress at the VA around cannabis, and it’s past time for national policy change to empower VA doctors to connect veterans who want to explore cannabis as a treatment option, to it.
In a first for our annual member survey, we asked IAVA veterans whether they supported expanding veteran access to psychedelic treatment options within the VA, and 65% of them told us they did. Only 12% told us they were opposed. Whether it’s cannabis or psychedelics, the data makes clear that our generation of veterans is ready to try more alternative therapies. We just need our elected leaders to help make it possible.
IAVA is working hard with other groups and leaders to ensure that those who fought for our country are treated with the same quality of health care that is available to their civilian counterparts.
IAVA is fighting hard to enact the bipartisan VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act (S. 326/ H.R. 1003) that states that the VA can conduct research into the efficacy of medical cannabis as a treatment for veterans with chronic pain, PTSD, and other conditions.
Currently, most psychedelics are also not approved for use in mental health treatments, but recently the VA decided to fund studies on the use of psychedelics in treating mental health conditions. This came after years of growing numbers of veterans heard stories from fellow vets about the game-changing effects of breakthrough therapies using psychedelics. Many veterans are so bought in on psychedelic treatments that they’ve left the country at their own expense to get this care.
Need help navigating the VA or are you seeking therapies not available at the VA? IAVA’s veteran care partners are here to help.
There are other therapies to which veterans in need do not have access through VA. Therapies available to civilians, but not to veterans, include access to therapy/service dogs, equine therapy, agri therapy, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.
We must ensure that those who served receive the same access to care as their civilian counterparts. It’s past time that comprehensive action is taken to address the long term health of veterans who served after 9/11.
For years, IAVA members have sounded off in support of researching medical cannabis for use in treating the wounds of war. As well, during this time a variety of alternative therapies have been developed for the same purposes.
Veterans have consistently and passionately communicated that they’ve found that other alternative therapies, such as equine therapy and agri therapy, offer effective help in tackling some of the most pressing injuries faced when returning from war. Frequently, alternative therapies take the place of addictive prescription drugs. Yet, many of these alternative modalities are not currently being incorporated into VA care.
IAVA insists that, where there are proven alternative therapies available to their civilian counterparts, veterans should have access to the same standard of care through the VA.
Veterans aren’t a charity. They’re an investment. Donate to help empower IAVA veterans and ensure their voices are heard.
Donate to IAVA
