Virginia veterans can get medical marijuana without losing their benefits in the process.
Americans are fortunate to have a choice about whether or not they want to endure the rigors, challenges and sometimes horrors of military service. Those who sacrifice their lives in service pay the ultimate price for that freedom to choose, but many living veterans have also sacrificed their mental and physical health for the sake of upholding the values of Democracy.
Though modern medicine has yet to find safe, effective treatments for many conditions and symptoms common among veterans, cannabis can provide natural relief without many of the unwanted side effects of traditional medications.
As a matter of fact, the most common conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in Virginia align almost perfectly with the most common diagnoses for service-related disabilities.
A recent survey indicates that 75 percent of veterans would consider using cannabis as a treatment option, but VA doctors cannot recommend medical marijuana for their patients despite its popularity and effectiveness.
How Virginia Veterans Can Get Medical Marijuana Without A VA Clinician Recommendation
It’s important to remember that your VA clinician can’t recommend medical marijuana even if they want to. Despite the majority of US states legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes and public opinion overwhelmingly in favor of it, the Federal Government still considers marijuana a Schedule I controlled substance.
Just because your VA clinician isn’t going to recommend medical marijuana does not mean they are not warm to the idea of using it to treat your symptoms. It just means that they are unable to due to Federal laws (more on this in a later section).
At Virginia Marijuana Card, we can recommend medical marijuana for any of the qualifying conditions in Virginia, and we have the discretion to recommend it for anything that might benefit from treatment with cannabis.
We think it’s important to make access to natural medicine as easy as possible. We want you to be confident with your health choices, and we are here to walk you through the process and answer your questions six days a week.
Call us at (888) 633-5808, or schedule an appointment online with one of our skilled healthcare professionals today!
Veterans Conditions That are Commonly Treated With Cannabis
Cannabis works with the endocannabinoid system to restore balance in your body. Because the endocannabinoid system affects nearly every other system in the body, cannabis has far-reaching effects on a multitude of conditions and symptoms.
Some of the most common health concerns among veterans can be treated with cannabis, and medical marijuana is often free of the more unpleasant side effects that come with more traditional treatments.
If you are suffering from any of the following conditions, medical marijuana may help you start to feel like yourself again:
PTSD
Chronic Pain
Opioid Dependence
Opioid Use Disorder
Alcohol Dependence
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Insomnia
Anxiety
Depression
Other Drug Dependence Issues
Joint Pain
Back Pain
Arthritis
Your VA Benefits Are Protected if You Use Cannabis Through Virginia’s Medical Marijuana Program
More than a quarter of the country’s veterans are at least partially disabled as a result of their service. They rely on the VA for their healthcare, their income, and to care for their families after death. One of the biggest concerns for veterans considering treatment with medical marijuana is whether or not they will lose their benefits for “willful misconduct.”
“Willful misconduct” includes extreme instances of drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and even tobacco use. So veterans are generally incredibly careful about their choices even after discharge, due to the risk of losing their livelihood.
The good news is that the VA has clarified that veterans will not lose their benefits for using medical marijuana as long as they are participating in a state-sanctioned program. This means that you need to have a Virginia marijuana card in order to ensure you aren’t risking benefits. As long as you have one, you’re safe to use cannabis for your symptoms.
Protecting Veterans Benefits With Medical Marijuana is Essential for Coordinating Care with Your VA Doctor
The Department for Veterans Affairs are not trying to punish anyone for treating conditions while complying with state laws, but they do want you to stay safe and get optimal care. Some medications may have interactions with cannabis that require adjustment of dosing, and you may find that you don’t need other medications at all once you find the right medical marijuana products for you.
Protecting your benefits gives you the freedom to communicate and coordinate your care with your VA clinician after you get your card. They are required to discuss your use, document it in their file, and incorporate it into your treatment plan.
Exercise Your Right to Safe, Accessible Treatment Through Medical Marijuana
If you are a veteran, you have a unique set of needs and the right to pursue the kind of treatment that works for you. Because of the way cannabis works, it may be more effective at addressing the psychological and physical discomfort that come with PTSD, musculoskeletal injuries, head injuries and so much more.
We can help you get started legally using medical marijuana for any of the symptoms and conditions listed here and others as well. Our doctors are trained to address your concerns, give you advice for coordinating care with your VA clinician, help you find the right products to meet your objectives, and walk you through the process of getting approved.
We are here six days a week to answer your questions, and you can get started on a path to better health by giving us a call at (888) 633-5808 or scheduling an appointment for an evaluation online today.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Virginia!
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