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How would you describe the level of cannabis knowledge among VA administrators and doctors? Are they willing to keep an open mind and learn more?
The level of knowledge is inadequate. Most doctors and administrators fear losing their licenses, so cannabis is unmentionable, to a degree. Under federal law cannabis may not be prescribed, but its therapeutic value can be discussed with patients. Veterans were not consulted at all when the Veterans Health Administration crafted its policy about cannabis use pertaining to medical cannabis programs. When I give workshops, I go over those policies with the veterans to give them a better understanding about how they can gain access in a legal and ethical way. If and when cannabis becomes rescheduled at the federal level, veterans healthcare systems are hamstrung.
How would you describe the level of knowledge about the benefits of medical cannabis among veterans?
Some veterans have elementary knowledge, but the majority do not. There is a generational gap, but collectively we are all veterans and we all have a story to tell. The VA is not conducting any real studies about the effects of cannabis on post-traumatic stress disorder, so there’s a general lack of information. This is where Veterans Health Solutions comes in to fill the void by distributing useful knowledge provided by a disabled veteran who uses medical cannabis.