420 with CNW — Study Finds Medical Cannabis Bene
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According to a new study, the vast majority of American military veterans who use medical marijuana claim noticeable increases in their general well-being. The study, conducted by a team from the University of Utah, the University of Massachusetts and various marijuana research institutes, analyzed survey data from more than 500 veterans who openly admitted to using marijuana. The goal was to gain deeper insights into the motives and outcomes of their cannabis usage.
Interestingly, approximately 67% of respondents disclosed that they use marijuana on a daily basis. For 30% of these veterans, marijuana serves as a valuable substitute for conventional medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antidepressants. Even more striking, 21% claimed that marijuana allowed them to cut down on opioid-based prescriptions, which can be particularly concerning given the ongoing opioid crisis.
Unquestionably, the study’s results are overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive 91% of veterans affirming that medical marijuana significantly enhances their well-being.
This research holds particular significance for veterans, considering the disproportionate prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alarming suicide rates within the community. Many veterans have turned to cannabis as a viable treatment option, as evident in a 2019 survey conducted by the IAVA, where 20% of veterans used cannabis for medical use and 66% for recreational purposes.
The Department of Veterans Affairs currently allows veterans to discuss their marijuana use with doctors. However, doctors are legally barred from issuing medical marijuana recommendations. Nevertheless, there are efforts in Congress to change this, with a bipartisan bill aiming to grant doctors the ability to recommend medical cannabis in legal states.
Lawmakers have also shown interest in exploring the potential benefits of psychedelics for active duty military personnel and have initiated a medical cannabis “pilot program” through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Similarly, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee approved a bill to study the therapeutic potential of marijuana for veterans with specific conditions, marking a groundbreaking step in cannabis legislation.
Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced a separate bill to promote research into marijuana’s medical potential for veterans with chronic pain, PTSD or other pertinent disorders as determined by the VA secretary.
Despite Congress’s previous failure to pass a marijuana and veterans research bill, there remains a strong coalition of more than 20 veterans service organizations (VSOs) advocating for further research and legislation in this area.
It isn’t surprising that enterprises such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are seeking to take the medical use of cannabis compounds a step higher by commercializing formulations that have been subjected to FDA scrutiny and oversight.
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