[Vision2020] Former House speaker reverses course on medical marijuana, citing positive benefits for vets

[Janesta Sullivan]

 some folk are beginning to see big pharma is out cannabis is where future
profits are.

nonetheless, very good news for those who suffer

On Wed, Apr 11, 2018 at 5:25 PM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:

> Courtesy of the *Army Times* at:
>
> https://www.armytimes.com/veterans/2018/04/11/former-
> house-speaker-reverses-course-on-medical-marijuana-citing-
> positive-benefits-for-vets/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_
> medium=email&utm_campaign=Army%20DNR%2004-11-18&utm_
> term=Editorial%20-%20Army%20-%20Daily%20News%20Roundup
>
> ———————————————
>
> Former House speaker reverses course on medical marijuana, citing positive
> benefits for vets
> WASHINGTON — Former House Speaker John Boehner on Wednesday said he has
> shifted his stance on medical marijuana in part because of the potential
> positive effects it could have for suffering veterans.
>
> Boehner, who said he was opposed to medical marijuana legalization during
> his time in office, this week was appointed to the board of advisers for
> Acreage Holdings, one of the country’s largest cannabis cultivation and
> dispensing firms.
>
> In a statement, he called for “a shift in federal marijuana policy” and
> said his views on the issue have “evolved” in recent years.
>
> “We need to look no further than our nation’s 20 million veterans, 20
> percent of whom, according to a 2017 American Legion survey, reportedly use
> cannabis to self-treat post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and
> other ailments,” he said in a statement released by Acreage Holdings.
>
> “Yet the [Department of Veterans Affairs] does not allow its doctors to
> recommend its usage. There are numerous other patient groups in America
> whose quality of life has been dramatically improved by the
> state-sanctioned use of medical cannabis.”
>
>  Research into marijuana benefits for vets with PTSD needs more volunteers
> Research into marijuana benefits for vets with PTSD needs more volunteers
>
> An Arizona study hoping to provide definitive answers on the medical
> benefits of marijuana for wounded veterans is in danger of collapsing
> because researchers can’t find enough participants.
>
> Boehner said one of the main obstacles to further marijuana research and
> acceptance is the federal classification of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug,
> which places strict testing and procurement guidelines on medical testing
> of the drug.
>
> The former speaker’s support now makes him the most prominent Republican
> in the country to actively advocate for a change in marijuana laws.
>
> The move comes as veterans groups have made a major push on Capitol Hill
> for expanded marijuana research, arguing that it has the potential to
> become a safer alternative to highly addictive opioids for tens of
> thousands of veterans nationwide.
>
> The American Legion’s survey, released in November, found that more than
> 90 percent of veterans support expanding research into medical marijuana,
> and over 80 percent back allowing federal doctors to prescribe it to
> veterans.
>
> Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia, but
> is still illegal to use or possess under federal law. That prevents VA
> doctors from prescribing it to patients even in states where it is
> available.
>
> Last year, VA officials updated their guidelines to allow doctors to
> discuss medical marijuana with patients in an effort to better gauge its
> usage among veterans. But administration officials still will not let
> physicians recommend its use or provide assistance in obtaining the drug.
>
> Boehner said he hopes his work at Acreage will help “transform the debate,
> policy and landscape around this issue.”
>
> Legislative efforts to reschedule cannabis and legalize medical marijuana
> nationwide have stalled in Congress in recent months.
>
> ———————————————
>
> Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .
>
> "Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
> http://www.MoscowCares.com <http://www.moscowcares.com/>
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
>
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