There’s a group of doctors who are offering medical pot assessments for veterans. Although they’re not officially associated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, they seem to take the wellbeing of veterans seriously. Here’s the scoop.
Canna Care Docs
It’s no secret that the world of politics is rife with corruption and hypocrisy.
When Republican lawmakers aren’t challenging the basic human rights of everyone who is not a white, non-LGBT Christian man, they are gushing about their respect and admiration for the troops. And yet, they block congressional bills that would allow Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors from recommending medical marijuana.
But not all is hopeless.
Medical marijuana for U.S. veterans isn’t a dead end. There is a glimmer of light, and it’s taking the form of a collective called Canna Care Docs.
They are a group of physicians who help patients determine if medical marijuana is a viable option for them. And even better, they also offer free consultations for active and former military members.
Maggie Fauver, the mid-Atlantic operations manager with Canna Care Docs, said they have been hosting veterans’ events at all of the company’s locations for several years. It’s their way of showing appreciation for the country’s veterans. And also to help them get access to the health care services they need.
“Unfortunately for many veterans, their health can be negatively affected due to their deployment,” Fauver told the Baltimore Business Journal. “These veteran events are Canna Care Docs’ way of sincerely saying ‘Thank you for our freedom.'”
Canna Care typically charges a consultation fee of $200. But they waive this fee for veterans.
The group has also donated nearly half-a-million dollars worth of free medical recommendations to veterans, as well as other patients in financial straits.
“One of our core principles at Canna Care Docs is to ensure that no patient should stay in the black market for just financial reasons, and that principle has served us and [the patient] population very well,” said Kevin Kafka, founder and CEO of Canna Care Docs in a recent interview.
Final Hit: Doctors Offer Free Medical Pot Assessments for Veterans
In the weeks leading up to Veterans Day (November 11), Canna Care will be hosting a series of free certification events for veterans who seek medical cannabis to treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other common health issues, like traumatic brain injury, insomnia, and chronic pain. There will also be medical pot assessments for veterans.
It is essential to keep in mind that 22 American vets commit suicide each day.
Most are suffering from PTSD, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. And so it should come as no surprise that more veterans than ever are seeking medical marijuana as an alternative to addictive opioids to treat their service-related health issues.
In an effort to provide alternatives for veterans suffering from PTSD, the American Legion decided last August that it would advocate to remove marijuana from the list of Schedule I drugs. Just as a reminder, this is a list of drugs that the government has deemed harmful and possessing of no medical value. It also includes heroin and bath salts.
Veteran events in Maryland will be held on October 28 and November 4 at the different Canna Care locations. Check out their website for a full list of these events. Also on the website is a list of other states where Canna Care operates.