New York, VA at odds over medical marijuana for veterans with PTSD
Published on 11/14/17
New York recently became the 28th state to add PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, but those who might benefit from it the most have no way to acces it. Veterens are often covered and recieve most medical treatment from local VA medical centers, however they're federally run meaning they operate only under federal law. VA doctors are forbidden from discussing or offering any information on medical marijuana including any recommendation or prescription that might help vets with PTSD. Despite many state laws that would allow vets to seek medical cannabis for treatment of many conditions, currently no VA in the country can approve anything cannabis related.
Even though New York has legalized medical marijuana for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs won't help them get the drug.
That's because the department, which operates the nation's VA hospitals, follows federal law which still classifies marijuana as an illegal controlled substance.
VA health care providers are not allowed to recommend medical marijuana or help veterans obtain it.
