As more states legalize medical and recreational cannabis, many United States military Veterans wonder if they can get a medical cannabis card without sacrificing their benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). If you’re a Veteran, medical marijuana card use may be a point of confusion, so we’ve provided a guide explaining everything you need to know about legally using medical cannabis as a Veteran.
LeafMed is dedicated to educating medical marijuana patients on topics ranging from how to get a medical marijuana card in Mississippi to the qualifying medical conditions in the state.
Can U.S. Military Veterans Get Medical Marijuana Cards in Mississippi?
Yes! U.S. military Veterans in Mississippi and throughout the country can legally procure medical cannabis cards to help with a wide variety of ailments. Below, we explain VA guidelines on medical marijuana cards for Veterans, how medical cannabis helps Veterans, and the legality of consumption for those still working for the federal government.
Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Many state governments have established medical marijuana programs, but cannabis remains on the Schedule I Controlled Substance list at the federal level. The VA must adhere to federal laws, so the department cannot recommend medical cannabis, even when legal at the state level. However, Veterans don’t have to worry about losing their benefits due to marijuana consumption.
Medical cannabis guidelines published by the VA explain the following:
- The VA will not deny benefits to Veterans due to medical cannabis use.
- The VA encourages Veterans to speak with VA providers regarding cannabis use.
- Mentions of marijuana use remain confidential in patient medical records.
- VA providers may not recommend medical marijuana.
- VA providers may not assist Veterans in procuring medical marijuana.
- The VA will not cover the costs of medical cannabis.
To summarize, the VA won’t take your benefits for getting a Veteran medical marijuana card. Still, no VA doctor can help you get one or recommend cannabis use because it remains federally illegal.
How Does Medical Cannabis Help Military Veterans?
Veteran patients often contend with various symptoms related to their time in the service, from physical ailments to mental health struggles. According to research by the VA, one in five Veterans reports “persistent pain,” and one in ten reports “severe persistent pain.” The VA also published statistics on PTSD prevalence, which indicate 21% of Persian Gulf War Veterans and 29% of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom Veterans report symptoms of PTSD within their lifetimes.
Many Veterans looking for alternatives to potentially addictive opioids and side-effect-inducing NSAIDs consider medical marijuana. In Mississippi, you must have a qualifying medical condition to get a medical marijuana card. The MS Medical Cannabis Act lists several qualifying conditions that many Veterans experience, including chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe spinal cord injury, and cancer.
What About Military Veterans Who Still Work for the Federal Government?
Federal government entities maintain drug-free workplaces and conduct random drug testing for employees. All federal government employees (Veteran and civilian) face rehiring disqualification consequences if they test positive for THC, even if they have a medical marijuana card.
Examples of federal sectors with strict drug-free workplace standards include but aren’t limited to:
- The Federal Transit Administration
- The Federal Railroad Administration
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- The VA
Visit LeafMed for Medical Marijuana in Mississippi
A Veteran medical marijuana card may help you find relief from symptoms both related and unrelated to your military service. LeafMed is a medical cannabis dispensary owned by qualified physicians committed to helping people deal with various ailments, from chronic pain and PTSD to Alzheimer’s and cancer. Visit a LeafMed medical cannabis dispensary in Vicksburg, Bay St. Louis, or Gulfport for flower, pre-rolls, edibles, and more.Check out our other resources to learn more about medical cannabis in MS, such as what happens if you get caught with a fake ID at a dispensary.