As states loosen marijuana laws, veterans still face obstacles to therapeutic treatment

As Maryland and other states move to make medical marijuana available to patients, former service members are still barred from getting the drug from the Veterans Administration.

Marijuana remains in a legally precarious position, even as public support for its legalization and use to treat illnesses grows. Washington, Colorado and the District of Columbia have legalized the drug for all purposes — Maryland has decriminalized the possession of small amounts — and almost two dozen states, including Maryland, have authorized medical marijuana programs.

But the drug remains illegal under federal law, and for veterans that prohibition makes it difficult to get access to marijuana, which can be effective in treating pain and, advocates say, post-traumatic stress disorder.

VA doctors do not prescribe marijuana, and a policy established in 2011 prohibits them from signing any paperwork that would recommend that their patients get marijuana treatment through a state program.

"It is always illegal under federal law for a veteran to utilize marijuana, regardless of whether there is a state law allowing for use of marijuana," said VA spokeswoman Walinda West.

Annette Johnson, an Army veteran who lives in Baltimore, wants VA doctors to prescribe marijuana to treat pain from illness and an auto accident. The 53-year-old former military police officer has been using the drug for years by herself and says she finds it effective at managing her pain, allowing her to wear the high heels she likes to church on Sunday.

"I can walk my dog," she said. "Have my quality of life."

Johnson used Percocet for many years but didn't like the way it clouded her mind and found she suffered withdrawal whenever she tried to stop. She said marijuana does not muddle her mind or cause other noticeable side effects.

Johnson enlisted in the Army out of high school in 1980. Inspired by a female recruiter and lacking money for college, she saw the military as a way out of the small city in Michigan in which she grew up. She served for 13 years.

"I loved the military," she said. "It grew me up."

Johnson decided to leave the Army when she faced an overseas deployment without her young daughter. She settled in Baltimore and worked for a while as a substitute teacher.

She says she suffers pain from illness connected to her military service and from injuries suffered in a car accident in 2000 that required back surgery.

A few years after the surgery, she says, a drug test she took at the VA Medical Center in Baltimore came back positive for marijuana. Her medical records show that VA doctors subsequently barred her from receiving opiates.

Now she says she will not submit to any major treatment there because she would not be able to get medication to deal with the pain during recovery.

"I am on the outside," she said.

West, the VA spokeswoman, said she could not comment on Johnson's case. She said VA doctors are instructed to handle patients who use marijuana on a case-by-case basis.

"Once a veteran begins using [VA health] services, the decision regarding a patient's treatment plan will be made by the individual provider in partnership with their patient," West said. VA "policy does not prohibit veterans using marijuana from participating in pain-control programs."

The major veterans organizations have yet to establish formal positions on medical marijuana.

"If proven it could help sick or disabled veterans, then the feds should consider it," said Joe Davis, a spokesman for Veterans of Foreign Wars. "More research needs to be done."

But there have been recent efforts in Congress to open the way for VA doctors to prescribe marijuana. Last month, a Senate committee adopted an amendment to a funding bill that would undo the 2011 rules and allow VA physicians to make recommendations in line with state law. Supporters in the House of Representatives have pushed for a similar measure.

Michael Collins of the Drug Policy Alliance said veterans should be treated the same as any other resident of a state where marijuana is allowed for medical reasons.

"They have served this country valiantly, so the least we can do is allow them to have full and open discussions with their doctors," he said.

Johnson continues to face instability and uncertainty in her life. She recently became homeless; she is staying with friends and stuffing her possessions into the trunk of her car.

She says she remains optimistic.

"I don't have a choice but to thank God for where I am," she said.

Source: baltimoresun.com

Zynga (NASDAQ:ZNGA) can't seem to catch a break. Although its recent Q3 earnings showed promise of a long awaited turnaround and their stock was upgraded to a buy by Jefferies they immediately fell back into bull territory over a stock sale lawsuit against their founder and former CEO Mark Pincus. The stock is currently trading around $2.50, down from a 52 week high of $5.82.The Dragons came close to scoring seven minutes later when a Widdop chip and chase opened up the Warriors' defence and the attack was continued by Jason Nightingale, but it all came to nothing as Adam Quinlan allowed the ball to slip out of his hand as he attempted to ground it.The concluding league match Cheap Sunglasses of the final phase of NFL Division II, played at the Keenan Stadium here, turned out a thriller as Punjab Police erased a two goal deficit to make it 2 2 before former international Anthony Fernandes converted a freekick to clinch the issue for Air India in the 88th.Your training routines should also focus on particular play assignments. For instance, you can use agility bags for various "punch drills" to help you become a better pass blocker. There are myriad pass catching drills you can use to improve your receiving ability. Ball security gauntlets can help you protect against fumbles. A good team drill involves five cones, four "holes" and three defenders on the line. As you take a handoff from your quarterback, the defenders shift to leave one hole open. You recognize the hole and hit it without hesitation.Miami Dolphins linebacker Junior Seau tackles for the ball on Sept. 7, 2003 at Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida. President George W. Bush presents an award to Miami Dolphins linebacker Junior Seau during the celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and presentation of the President's Volunteer Service Awards at the East Room of the White House May 25, 2005 in Washington, DC.A debate is an argument to prove oneself right. That doesn't mean that one is obsessed at proving their point of view to be right every time. It's just a constructive discussion in which everyone gets a point to prove, and you learn a lot Replica Oakleys Sunglasses about issues and news happening in your surroundings. Schools and colleges have always encouraged students to participate in debate competitions that are held every year. This article talks about debate topics for students, which will help them have strong yet effective verbal communication.The market was nearly entirely focused on the FOMC developments for Wednesday throughout Tuesday. Early losses were bought up as the market ended mostly flat overall. The market got important CPI data Tuesday morning that showed that inflation was flat month over month. Low inflation has been the reason that QE has been able to cheap oakleys subsist for so long along with weak jobs creation. This news was seen as positive for non taper arguments, but a fake oakleys strong NAHB Housing Market Index at 58 versus 55 expectations spurned selling. Too good of news has hurt the market because it means the Fed is more likely to taper. The weeks of taper conversation come to a precipice tomorrow, and discount football jerseys we should get our answers. The Dow Jones (NYSEARCA:DIA) and S (NYSEARCA:SPY) dropped minimally.
10 famous celebrities who went to college onlineHe looked out of place as an OLB in a 3 4. Still, the Secret Service forced DC to abort the ongoing cyclotron story line. It is good to rope with a guy that you practice with frequently. ." he said. Not to denigrate you because you have never been the President or movie star or whatever, but perhaps you did not achieve the goals you wanted because you listened to the people who said you couldn't do it.. "For me, wetting a diaper . I still can't exercise at a hundred percent with exertion without getting nauseous. "Coaches don't really have a life. Now Amy has the other top stories.. But there's no blood test for this. In this manner in comparison to gigantic industries people will get more jobs. This makes getting your offense on the field first very valuable to winning the game.. wholesale nfl jerseys Corporations caught in the crossfire, it shows that treading into politics can be an unprofitable proposition.. Just reach on down to the ground and whip your arm back up to remove your opponent's spine.. We've sort of been sitting on this one, not wanting to jinx it but we can't keep it in any longer the grain markets are in one beauty of a down trend. If Muhammad is not a prophet, who is? It is understandable, really, that so many Christians have been defensive and have reacted negatively to Islam. Five days ahead of Super Bowl 50, the NFL was studying how to deal with an alarming increase in jordan sale concussions. They can make arrests based on nothing more than their hunches.. But if the ball is kicked at a shallow angle, it will have more velocity in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction the ball will not go very high, will have a short hang time, but will travel a far distance. I've been frustrated with my play. Meanwhile, my best guy friend is awesome and goes above cheap football jerseys and beyond the call of friendship. You see how everything works together. Bernhardt Rupprecht found that his 2004 Dodge Neon had been repossessed by Bank of America after he missed a payment while he was on duty in Iraq. Consider this, you want to connect locally with the entire San Francisco 49ers Fan in your area and you have planned to create an online community to create a niche for your group. Foreman retired with a record of 76 5 with 68 knockouts.. On the other hand, cheap nfl jerseys T remains finite with cheap China Jerseys the tendency of suppression towards zero. 41 to Buffalo), defensive tackles A'Shawn Robinson (No. These men match skills, defense, power, stamina and heart in a battle that shows the bare truth in the flesh when your live. Thank you, Jennifer. "You need space in the toe box so your feet can move.