Editorial by JRM, Marketing Director at Compassion First AZ

Arizona has been the most recent stage for veterans to voice their opinions on the benefits of Medical Marijuana for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Last month there was a meeting held in Phoenix to have PTSD added to Arizona’s accepted ailments for the AMMA. Many veterans around the nation have preached about the benefits of medical marijuana compared to the “mind-eating” prescription pills doctors have routinely pumped our soldiers full of. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is an “anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or living through a dangerous event.” I would say these past few years of non-stop war in the Middle East have been extremely dangerous events that scarred the minds of many of our soldiers!

While the Department of Veteran Affairs has allowed these soldiers to use marijuana in states that have legalized its use for medical purposes, the Federal Government continues to send mixed messages of whether they are actually acting in compliance. Also, the DVA will not let their VA doctors make any recommendations relating to medical marijuana, which scares some veterans into thinking the government could backfire and remove the benefits of all veterans testing positive for marijuana since the drug remains illegal under federal law. This has forced them to hit black markets for the drug or become a “zombie” receiving improper prescription pills. These kinds of unnecessary stresses are the last thing our veterans need or deserve. They have been through harsh times and deserve to be treated equally both socially and medically!

If the state chooses to allow PTSD to be added to the list of accepted ailments under the AMMA, 15,000-20,000 NEW patients are expected to be added to the program here in Arizona. That’s roughly a 70% increase in patient cards that will soon be able to purchase from dispensaries located all across the state!

Compassion First Caregiver Circle has always supported our military and veterans who have provided the ultimate sacrifice to keep our nation safe and free. We hope the state will rule in favor of the veterans and allow these soldiers suffering from PTSD to seek relief from medical marijuana instead of these horribly addicting narcotic prescription drugs!

*For more information of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Industry visit http://www.CaregiverCircleAZ!

-JRM
Marketing Director
Compassion First AZ
www.CaregiverCircleAZ.com