Many veterans suffer service-related injuries and disabilities that ongoing medical treatment, including lifetime pain management. Even more common than physical wounds are mental health traumas, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Powerful, addictive medications, including opioids, are often used to treat these conditions when alternative therapies like medical marijuana could be as effective.

Medical marijuana is currently legal in 36 states and the District of Columbia, including in Florida. However, since marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, the VA will not prescribe medical marijuana. This has the unfair effect of essentially limiting a servicemember’s treatment options based on their military service. Read the full story and David Magann’s comments here.