Study: US Military Veterans Achieve Higher Quality Of Life With Medical Marijuana

Can a natural plant like cannabis help those who served their country and are now dealing with troubling consequences?

A new study into medical marijuana use as an alternative to prescription and OTC medication use among military veterans shares important insights, writes Leafly. The research published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics questioned 510 veterans on cannabis use and its effects.

Study Highlights

• As many as 38% of the respondents reported symptoms of chronic pain, 26% confirmed PTSD, 9% anxiety and 5% depression.
• More than half of the veterans who took part in the online survey served in Vietnam, the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea.
• 67% of the respondents confirmed using marijuana daily.
• 30% reported using cannabis to reduce the use of over-the-counter medications like antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs and other medicines.
• 21% reported taking fewer opioids thanks to cannabis.
• 91% confirmed medical marijuana helped them achieve a better quality of life.
• 80% reported having fewer psychological symptoms, 83% confirmed having fewer physical symptoms and 46% used less alcohol.

“Many of the respondents reported that medicinal cannabis treatment helped them to experience a greater quality of life, fewer psychological symptoms, fewer physical symptoms, and to use less alcohol, fewer medications, less tobacco, and fewer opioids,” the authors wrote.

The research concluded that these findings show that medical marijuana can play an important role as a harm-reduction tool, helping veterans use less pharmaceutical and other drugs. Scientists also noted that more clinical and epidemiologic research is needed to understand the risks and benefits.

Meanwhile, Democratic senators attempting to include a series of marijuana reform amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including a proposal to legalize medical cannabis for military veterans, through a must-pass defense bill that’s set to be considered this week, reported Marijuana Moment on Monday.

Related Links: 

Senate Committee Approves Bill Allowing VA Physicians To Recommend Medical Marijuana In Legal States

Study: 10% Of U.S. Vets Consume Marijuana, Defense Dept Urged To Study Cannabis As Opioid Substitute 

Photo: Benzinga edit with images from Shutterstock