The New York Times is reporting on July 23rd that effective this month the VA will allow veterans legally using medical marijuana to use MMJ without risking the loose of their VA prescribed pain medications.

DENVER – The Department of Veterans Affairs will formally allow patients treated at its hospitals and clinics to use medical marijuana in states where it is legal, a policy clarification that veterans have sought for several years.

A department directive, expected to take effect next week, resolves the conflict in veterans facilities between federal law, which outlaws marijuana, and the 14 states that allow medicinal use of the drug, effectively deferring to the states.

The policy will not permit department doctors to prescribe marijuana. But it will address the concern of many patients who use the drug that they could lose access to their prescription pain medication if caught.  [read the full article ...]

Total Health Concepts thinks this is an excellent policy shift by the VA for medical the needs of our veterans and validates the treatment of service related chronic pain and other conditions with medical marijuana.