A recent study published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health reveals that 40% of military veterans suffering from chronic pain use marijuana as a treatment. The survey, conducted among 52 veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) primary care, found that cannabis is widely used for addressing pain, mobility issues, and sleep disturbances. Many participants also reported that marijuana helps with PTSD, anxiety, stress, and depression.
The study highlighted the growing use of natural products, including cannabis, by veterans, with 98% of participants advocating for healthcare providers to discuss natural treatments with their patients. Cannabis was found to be the third most commonly used natural product, following vitamin D and multivitamins.
David Gang, the project leader from Western Washington University, emphasized the potential of cannabis as a multifaceted solution for veterans dealing with pain and mental health issues. “Cannabis may offer therapeutic benefits for pain relief, mobility, and mental health conditions like PTSD,” Gang noted.
Despite the promising results, the survey also pointed out the challenges veterans face when accessing cannabis treatments due to federal restrictions within the VA system. The report also mentioned that only about half of the respondents had discussed natural product use with their healthcare providers.
This study follows broader efforts to push for expanded access to marijuana for veterans. Advocacy groups have long argued that veterans in states where cannabis is legal should be able to receive medical marijuana recommendations from their VA physicians.
Legislation such as the Marijuana Safe Harbor Act aims to allow veterans to legally possess and use cannabis, even under federal law. As more research supports cannabis as an alternative to prescription medications, especially opioids, advocates are hopeful for a shift in policy that would better support veterans’ healthcare needs.
