Poll says majority of veterans back medical marijuana research and legalization
December 12, 2017
The topic of medical marijuana has been under intense debate. While lawmakers seem unable to agree on whether to legalize it, a recent survey revealed surprising results. Veterans across 39 states have expressed overwhelming support for the legalization of medical marijuana, as well as research into the drug.
The American Legion polled 513 veterans as well as 289 caregivers. They found that around 92 percent of former service members were in favor of medical marijuana research, while more than 80 percent of individuals surveyed want to see the drug as a federally legalized medical treatment.
According to a statement released by Five Corners Strategies, the firm that carried out the polling on the Legion’s behalf, “Support for medical cannabis, and research on medical cannabis is high across veterans and caregivers, all age ranges, gender, political leanings and geography.”
Last year, the Legion sought the reclassification of marijuana “as a drug with potential medical value.” Currently, the Drug Enforcement Administration groups it with illegal Schedule I drugs like heroin and ecstasy. The veterans’ organization has also supported medical marijuana trials in Phoenix, Arizona. They are part of the first federally approved research into the drug’s effects on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Legion has recently become more vocal in its advocacy for marijuana research. Earlier this year the organization urged the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permit medical professionals to suggest marijuana as a medical treatment for patients residing in states that have legalized it.
However, the VA has not changed its position on medical marijuana. Commenting on the matter in May, Secretary David Shulkin said, “There may be some evidence that this (medical marijuana) is beginning to be helpful… But until the time that federal law changes, we are not able to prescribe medical marijuana.”