Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana is a legitimate medical therapy – yet so many veterans find it difficult to access. This is because the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), as a federal agency, must follow federal law that still classifies marijuana as a controlled substance and thus considers it illegal. As a result, the VA isn’t allowed to recommend, prescribe, or otherwise help veterans obtain medical marijuana.

Dozens of states, meanwhile, have approved the use of medical marijuana, making its use legal within a state’s boundaries. Florida is one of these states. As an added bonus, veterans who participate in state-approved medical marijuana programs can do so without any effect on their VA eligibility or benefits. In other words, veterans in Florida can explore the use of medical marijuana if they choose.

Benefits of Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana is used to treat a wide variety of physical and mental health issues, including:

• Anxiety
• Cancer pain
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Glaucoma
• Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Muscle spasms
• Multiple sclerosis symptoms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nerve pain
• Parkinson’s disease tremors
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Weight loss