The Department of Veteran Affairs Introduces New MMJ Guideline

December 21, 2017

Even though marijuana has shown therapeutic benefits for veterans suffering from different diseases, but is seems as if there is some disconnection between MMJ and veterans.

The Department of Veteran Affairs has always been hesitant in allowing physicians to formally prescribe cannabis variants as treatment options. With the introduction of new cannabis policy from the department, physicians will be able to discuss potential administration of cannabis with their veteran patients.

A Recent MMJ Policy for Veterans

A Recent MMJ Policy for Veterans – Image powered by Hightimes.com

Physicians on the panel of the Department of Veteran Affairs are still not permitted to prescribe medical marijuana to the patients. Nevertheless, physicians are now allowed to discuss the use of medical marijuana with patients. Patients can then consult licensed physicians to get a formal prescription. The department has categorically said that they are not barring patients to get MMJ prescriptions from private doctors but they won’t facilitate the process.

No individual will be denied Veteran Health Administration services just because he is a part of any legalized MMJ program, as per the new rolled out guideline. It is evident that the Department of Veterans Affairs is adamant with its long-established ban on prescribing MMJ and assisting veterans in getting enrolled in any such program, legalized by state administrations.

It has also become mandatory for physicians to keep a track of the use of medical cannabis by their patients according to the new set of rules. Clinical staff is now required to document the clinical information of the use of MMJ and the related discussion in the medical record of veterans.

Physicians will be able to make any recommendation to change the course of treatment with the use of MMJ according to the case history of every individual patient. Such discussions and decisions must be in line with veteran safety and health measures and with the permission of the patient.

David Shulkin, secretary of the department of Veteran Affairs – Image powered by C-span.org

This new policy of the department is a development in the right direction, where physicians and patients will at least be able to discuss the use of cannabis in terms of its clinical relevance. But marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug substance by the department as per federal narcotic laws. David Shulkin, secretary of the department of Veteran Affairs, restated the department’s standing on the legality of cannabis in his briefing in Capitol Hill six months ago.

According to him, until the federal laws get amended, the department will remain unable to prescribe marijuana for any medical condition. But it seems as if the department is not truly aware of the MMJ laws of the country.

As per Supreme Court’s judgment in the light of the first amendment, physicians are legally allowed to recommend MMJ to patients, providing they don’t supply the substance themselves. However, they are still not allowed to formally prescribe medical marijuana to the patients under the existing laws.

The new policy will remain effective till the end of 2022. We hope that, by then, patients may easily get medical marijuana for their ailments.

The post The Department of Veteran Affairs Introduces New MMJ Guideline appeared first on I Love Growing Marijuana.