Why Veterans Are Exploring Cannabis

Keep in mind that the information in this article is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing a treatment plan, especially if you are considering cannabis for PTSD or other medical conditions. Cannabis use may have legal restrictions depending on your location.

Traditional treatments for PTSD often include therapy and medication. While these can help, they don’t work for everyone. Many veterans find that medications come with side effects, like feeling tired or disconnected.

Cannabis offers a natural alternative. It’s being recognized for its ability to help with symptoms like anxiety, trouble sleeping, and overwhelming emotions. Veterans say it helps them feel calm and more in control.

One Veteran recounts his first time trying cannabis; Krawitz was stationed in Guam with the Air Force in the mid-1980s when he had a motorcycle crash in the line of duty, requiring more than a dozen surgeries and untold pain medications. “A fellow patient handed me the butt end of a marijuana cigarette,” he recalls. “I thought, maybe I’ll get a little high and feel good for a minute, like you’ve had a cognac or something. What I experienced was different. I experienced relief. I was a mess and for the first time in months I felt relief. At that moment, it was a new relationship with that plant.”  – (United States war veterans gain access to medicinal marijuana) from the National Library of Medicine.

In 1999, the Institute of Medicine reported “a potential therapeutic value for cannabinoid drugs,” particularly for pain relief, control of nausea and appetite stimulation (Marijuana and Medicine). That study said the benefits are modest, often surpassed by other medications and associated with “a powerful drug with a variety of effects.” Still, it found the adverse effects to be within the range tolerated for other medications for certain patients.