In your opinion, how does cannabis use benefit veterans? What specific ailments does cannabis address most effectively?
Cannabis medications work so efficiently because of the endocannabinoid system present in all humans. This system consists of a series of CB1 and CB2 receptors that are configured only to accept cannabinoids, especially tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is great for pain management, and it helps boost the immune system to fight many diseases and it does not have the psychoactive element THC therefore veterans will not get high by using it.
Many veterans have mental issues like traumatic brain injury or PTSD, but the majority of veterans’ issues are related to physical ailments as well. I screen them and find out what concerns they have regarding the use and dosage. Based on my military medical background and increasing knowledge of sativas, hybrids and indicas, I guide them to what might work for them.
If all barriers to cannabis as an alternative to prescription drugs and opiates were eliminated, how would that affect veterans?
If all barriers were eliminated, you would see an increase of very happy and civil veterans. Veterans have a low tolerance for nonsense; that’s how we are trained to be and how we survive. So many of the VA medications given to treat PTSD and other issues like pain, anxiety,
depression, flashbacks, and insomnia, when combined, can produce a recipe for tragedy.
One of the major issues is suicidal thinking. A 2012 report from the VA indicated twenty-two veterans die from suicide each day. As we move into 2018, that figure is increasing rapidly due to homelessness, lack of employment and other issues. You never hear of anyone overdosing on cannabis, but we frequently hear about veterans and others dying from overuse of prescription drugs and opiates. These drugs are narcotics and are highly addictive and can lead to use of more serious drugs like heroin.
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TOO MANY OF OUR VETERANS ARE LIVING IN FEAR
EVERYDAY. INSTEAD, IF THEY COULD GET ACCESS TO
CANNABIS THEY COULD LIVE IN FREEDOM EVERYWHERE!
– Life D. Griffith, MSM
Connecting with VETERANS