American Legion Asks Federal Government to Consider Cannabis for Veterans

The American Legion adopted a resolution on August 24 asking the federal government to consider allowing medical cannabis to be used to treat veterans. In their resolution, they pleaded for the government to allow the doctors associated with the Department of Veterans Affairs to recommend cannabis to veterans in states where it is currently legal to consume.

The American Legion 2017 National Convention ran from August 18 to August 24 in Reno, Nevada. The resolution was written by Rob Ryan, an American legion member, who traveled there from Ohio. He originally wrote it and introduced it into his local American Legion post, followed by its consideration on the county, district and state level before reaching the National Convention.

Ryan told Military.com that he’s heard from countless veterans in the past who use medical cannabis to treat their conditions, instead of much more harmful opioids. “Our state congressmen, when the American Legion says something, they listen. Hopefully, this will have the same impact at the federal level,” he said. “People should not be afraid to go to their doctors and talk honestly.”

This isn’t the first time that the American Legion has reached out in support of veterans across the country. The organization did make an effort to bring the issue to the attention of politicians. Also last year, the Veterans Equal Access measure was passed in the house and senate, but was unable to proceed any further.

Although there’s has much disappointment in the past regarding veterans’ safe access to medical cannabis, all is not lost. Dr. Sue Sisley, who attended the American Legion convention, believes that perseverance could soon pay off. “Year after year, we’ve never been able to pass the Veterans Equal Access amendment,” she said. “With the full weight of the American Legion behind this next round of legislation, I know we can finally get this approved.”

Sisley, along with five American Legion members, took time to tour a local cannabis cultivation site in order to learn more about cannabis. One-hundred more veterans were invited to attend, however many of them declined, claiming that they are afraid of the stigma attached to consuming the plant. One attendee however, Donna Stacey, went along on the tour in order to learn more about cannabis in regards to the resolution that was announced. “It’s hard to talk about something when you’re really clueless, when all you’re doing is reading about it,” she said. “When we go to Congress and say, ‘We want you to support us to see if this has any value in treating our veterans,’ now we can say we’ve been to a facility where they’re doing some controlled growing. And it gives some added value.”