During Drug Caucus Hearing, Rosen Asks Experts About Research into Medical Marijuana for Veterans

Statement

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, asked medical experts about research into using medical marijuana to treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, and other illnesses and injuries.

"Marijuana is legal in Nevada for both medical and recreational purposes, so the research that you're doing is so important for my state's hospitals, providers, schools, parents, law enforcement agencies, anybody that's concerned with the public health impact," said Senator Rosen.

"We have over 220,000 veterans in Nevada, and I don't have to tell you how often they struggle," Senator Rosen's question continued. "They struggle with chronic pain, they struggle with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and in too many cases they're becoming addicted to the medications prescribed to treat them."

"VA providers are currently prohibited from recommending or prescribing cannabis use, and the VA won't reimburse veterans for medical marijuana prescriptions from any source," asked Senator Rosen. "I would really appreciate your thoughts on how we might use cannabis to help veterans through anxiety and depression, and find alternatives to treat the issues that they are suffering from when they come home."

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