When servicemembers return from battle, they return with both visible and invisible injuries that they have to work to heal from. For me, it was the loss of two legs and a finger, and I had to go through the toughest physical and psychological pain imaginable. For others, their struggles may look completely different.
Regardless of the nature of an injury, I believe we owe it to every veteran to make sure they can access every possible tool to heal.
One of those tools is medical marijuana. Studies have shown time after time that medical marijuana can be helpful in treating neuropathic pain, PTSD and depression.
But right now, our veterans – whether their state has legalized medical marijuana or not – are specifically prohibited from participating in medical marijuana programs. With more and more states now moving to legalize medical marijuana, I believe that Department of Veterans Affairs physicians in these states should also be allowed to consider medical marijuana as a treatment option.
That is why I am re-introducing bipartisan legislation called the Veterans Equal Access Act, which would make it easier for qualified veterans to access medical marijuana in states where it is legal – like here in Florida.
As a veteran and as a co-chair of the Bipartisan Cannabis Caucus, I will fight for commonsense solutions to make a difference in the lives of those who’ve served. We owe it to them to push for treatment plans that can dramatically improve veterans’ quality of life!
