ptsd Do I risk loosing my VA benefits if I get a medical marijuana card>

[MKAH]

Hello,

I live in California where medical and recreation MJ is legal at the state level.  It is of course, no secrete the the Federal government has a dramatically different opinion and the VA is Federal.

Last year I spent nearly five months in lockup BICU units, residential PTSD, hospitals and SIPU inpatient PTSD hospitals, across the country where I have been treated for PTSD-MST.  In spite of the treatment and the many many medications the VA has tried and continues to try, I continue to have substantial mental health problems and am almost completely  housebound.  Naturally, it is a helpless feeling each day being drugged ,looking out the window wondering what is the next step for me.

It recently occurred to me that possibly, using very low doses of edible medical marijuana may help to give me some relief from my ptsd?  After researching the topic, I am thinking CBD rather than THC as I do not want to be stoned, just relaxed and less panicky when leaving the house for groceries and other routine tasks.  I believe edible is the better choice for me since I do not want to stink of reefer, and would prefer a more gradual onset and longer medication period of the medicine.  Most certainly, trying different products and dosages will be key.

I am terrified to ask my VA Psychiatrist because I do not want any reference to this matter being published in my health care record.

For now, this is just a research project where I'll be weighing the pros and cons for some time.

My question is, do I run the risk of loosing my VA benefits (60% SC Disabled) if I get a medical marijuana card?

Thanks in advance

[Chicago ArmySGT]

Hi, Mkah.

I am in Illinois and go to the VA almost every day of the week. I am also an Illinois card-holding Med. mar. patient.

Medical Marijuana treatment should have no bearing on losing benefits as far as I know.

However, Since one is state and one is federal, some things can be affected.

I am currently part of the VA's Methadone program. We are randomly given Urine tests since they want to check for other drugs in our system while on the Methadone/Suboxone program.

I came up positive for Marijuana last month, even though I use CBD (still has a small amount of THC in it). For every 3 months we are totally clean, we are given one take home dose. I've been denied my take home due to the positive test, since the VA and the Feds do not recognize Marijuana as treatment for PTSD.... yet.

Get your answers before you go on the program. There's nothing wrong with asking about it prior to medicating. As far as I know, it will not affect your rating. I'm currently 50% SC for PTSD and I'm awaiting a decision for increase and possible TDIU. I should know any day now. I'll update as I can.

Good Luck and stay up!

[broncovet]

If they pulled VA benefits from every Veteran because he once smoked a joint, the entire VA budget could be funded  with the income from 3 poorly managed lemonade stands.  Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama admitted to smoking pot (but Bill did not inhale), and they wound up with fairly high level, high paying jobs.     My advice is to:

1.  Get the card and the applicable treatment.

2.  Dont mention this to your doctors at VA.  

3.  If your doctor asks for a test (urine or blood tests), then come a couple weeks later, only after the THC has cleared from your system so it does not show up in your tests.  Maybe others can tell you how long it takes to clear, as I have no idea.  

4.  Stop worrying.  Fear=False Expectations Appearing Real.  

5.  If THC should come up in your blood work, show them your card and that you are legal, but only if confronted with the results of a positive THC test.   

Edited January 29, 2017 by broncovet

[john999]

If you are getting opiate pain meds from the VA I bet they would say you violated your pain management contract.  I think if THC shows up in a urine test it will mean trouble for you.  I was getting  an legal  amphetamine for my sleep apnea and they wanted to kick me out of pain clinic program.

[JR Reihs]

This is going to be a sticky subject for the foreseeable future as more states open up. One thing is for certain, the studies have started, but this will take years, the problem missed is the decades of use already on the books. I am a big supporter of Medicinal use, otherwise I would have been  opiate  addicted years ago due to the amount of narcotics the VA was handing me.

I do not think it will affect your VA rating, but as was said, it may effect your if you are in any form of pain management.

Edited January 30, 2017 by JR Reihs

[armorer]

I hear it is good for TBI, demenita, and Parkinson's disease; and does what no kidney and liver killing drug can do. 

[JR Reihs]

3 minutes ago, armorer said:

I hear it is good for TBI, demenita, and Parkinson's disease; and does what no kidney and liver killing drug can do. 

There is no answer to how far the benefits of this plant will go, but there is on truth............Big Pharma has spent untold millions to keep the secrets it holds hidden for nothing more than profit of those they churn out making them billions whille the needless suffering continued. This can not be hidden any longer, and it will overtime kill this industry, while also improving healthcare as we know it.