MM and the VA

[KimT]

Someone from my group contacted me today. He is a Vet and we have become friends. He wants to try medical marijuana but said the VA would not allow it, even if he gets a card and buys it from a dispensary here in Florida.

Why?

 

[DaChief]

It is a Schedule 1 drug according to the DEA and the VA falls under federal funding. There was a bill drafted early last year and approved by votes but it was dropped in the final spending bill. The VA will not withhold treatment for vets that obtain MM from private sources, however, they may withhold prescribing certain medications if they find out.

 

[KimT]

Thanks. I think things (Federally) are going to get worse, not better as related to medical cannabis. Too bad. A PALS I knew was not getting relief from Morphine and MM did the trick. He was active until a few days before he died.

 

[Atsugi]

Putting your own drugs into your system is significant medically. There are interactions.

When your VA doctor does a drug test, they're trying to see what the chemical environment is for medical purposes.

Sometimes, they find that the patient hasn't taken enough drugs. Then they have to wonder what you're doing with all the pills they prescribed. If they decide you're not being straight with them, they can require you to sign a "drug contract" saying you agree to take only the drugs they prescribe. If you violate the drug contract, you might lose your VA drug privilege.

 

[KimT]

Still, they need to get real and understand the doctors who are prescribing MM are board certified pain management specialists. Ours is double certified in pain management and anesthesiology. He is licensed in the State of Florida to prescribe any kind of pain medicine. He does a thorough workup and his aim is to get the patient off more dangerous drugs, if possible.

 

[GregK]

All of my va caregivers are both aware of and supportive of my mmj use.

 

[KimT]

Greg,

Just goes to show that different parts of the country have different opinions and, I'm sure, it varies caregiver to caregiver. I know that one ALS neuro told me early on that if he had ALS, he would buy weed if he had to do it illegally. Now, we're finally legal and the VA PALS here are afraid to lose their benefits if they test positive.

I'd have a different opinion if I ever heard of anybody overdosing on weed. I tried it in high school and couldn't tolerate the smoke part of it plus it gave me a racing heart. It was no doubt laced with something which was very common in the 70s.

My weed doctor told me to keep taking the CBD oil until I get to my 90 day waiting period. At that point I will get a personally formulated product (tincture) delivered. He took into account all my ailments. The consultation lasted about 30 minutes but he reviewed my medical history before we spoke.

He believes MM has many neuro protective properties.