Military veterans say pot eases PTSD

[Benjamin Parish]

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Emanuel Herrera returned from war addicted to painkillers and barely able to tolerate his children’s voices.

The former staff sergeant had enlisted in the Arizona National Guard after 9/11, wanting to help his country. In 2006, while providing security for a convoy near Camp Anaconda in Iraq, his truck hit an improvised bomb. The blast turned the night into day, nearly destroyed his neck, damaged the discs in his back and left him with brain injuries and post-traumatic stress.

Last year, despite warnings from medical staff at the local veterans hospital, he began to smoke pot legally under the state’s new medical-marijuana program to cope with the physical and mental pains of combat.

“My doctors shunned me and didn’t approve of me doing it,” said Herrera, a Purple Heart recipient. “One doctor said I could get some repercussions for doing it. But I did it legally. And I know for a fact — I’m a walking testimonial — that it works.”

No one collects data on the number of veterans participating in medical-marijuana programs in the 17 states where it is legal. But veterans and program advocates say those who have served are turning to cannabis more and more to deal with the disabling symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and chronic physical pain.


Military Times.Com

[Porfiry]

Pot causes brain damage, eventually.  It's softer than the other recreational drugs, but it still ultimately makes you paranoid (not exactly the best outcome for someone overcoming the horrors of war).

While I don't object to short term medically prescribed meds to help soften the initial stages, soldiers need long term serious help in dealing with their trauma.  Not pill to turn them into paranoid idiots.

And I won't respond study-for-study with any Libertarians who want to promote their weed as the cure all for all vices.  There are just as many studies saying one thing as the other.  Not all of them can be correct.

I've known various long term potheads over my lifetime.  Usually they are nice, stupid, ineffective people with paranoid tendencies.  The pot does NOT do them any good, and long term, it makes them rather useless.  If they started it up when dealing with PSTD I can only imagine the paranoia factor would be way higher.

Our soldiers deserve better.

[MrsSmith]

I've known various long term potheads over my lifetime.  Usually they are nice, stupid, ineffective people with paranoid tendencies.  The pot does NOT do them any good, and long term, it makes them rather useless.  If they started it up when dealing with PSTD I can only imagine the paranoia factor would be way higher.

Our soldiers deserve better.

Same here.  Every long-term pot head I know has ended up with nothing.  They can't keep jobs, they rent instead of own, most finally found a way to collect a government check of some sort and are worthless bums.  The ones I know will all live and die on the government dole and leave behind nothing, absolutely nothing, for the next generation...except their share of the National debt.  Pot may help some things for a while, but it does too much damage to be worth the risk.

[txradioguy]

Whether it helps with PTSD or not...it's still illegal and against UCMJ.  The only thing anyone who tries this in the military will get is chaptered out and denied access to the services they need to treat their condition.

Great ****ing article there Benji....NOT!

[vesta111]

Whether it helps with PTSD or not...it's still illegal and against UCMJ.  The only thing anyone who tries this in the military will get is chaptered out and denied access to the services they need to treat their condition.

Great ****ing article there Benji....NOT!

Back and forth on this debate.   I know many civilian doctors that do not prescribe Pot for their patients but if it helps them do not advise against using it. 

Pharmaceutical company's if they could would attempt to make Aspirin an RX at $3.00 a pill.   

One Grandpa told me of the returning Vets that had become addicted to Morphine and returning home found it was now illegal. WW1.

To stop the agony they began to drink booze to handle the pain, then Prohibition came in and they could now get no relief.

I think of his story's when I watch the Shootest with John Wayne.     

Lidia Pinkham and her elixirs were for woman for pain from all woman's problems, not so addicting our G Grandmas could not function. May have played a roll in woman crazy from pain no going nuts and offing our ancestors.

Who are we to deny any kind of relief from pain to others ?   It is not WE who are in pain, it is us who are healthy that deny relief to the suffering.

It is not the recreational user that needs these drugs but those that at this time there is no other relief or the cost for pharmaceuticals are at $1500 +  a month.

Where are the medical tests and the good and bad property's.  Didn't take This long to come up with a Breathalyzer for booze or a piss test for pot, We should by now be able to tell if a pot smoker had a hit 3 weeks ago or within the hour.

I tell you , if I knew a Vet that comes home with no legs and is in pain and has a waiting list for a VA. hospital, I at my old age will be out there on the streets looking for a seller and buy from them to ease their pain.   Hell if that don't work I will hire a hooker to take their mind off their pain.

Come on here we are adults here, could we have won the civil war with out General Hookers Girls ???? They that also acted as nurses.

And Yes I am a bit crazy, so who gives a rats Ass.     

[Kyle Ricky]

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Emanuel Herrera returned from war addicted to painkillers and barely able to tolerate his children’s voices.

The former staff sergeant had enlisted in the Arizona National Guard after 9/11, wanting to help his country. In 2006, while providing security for a convoy near Camp Anaconda in Iraq, his truck hit an improvised bomb. The blast turned the night into day, nearly destroyed his neck, damaged the discs in his back and left him with brain injuries and post-traumatic stress.

Last year, despite warnings from medical staff at the local veterans hospital, he began to smoke pot legally under the state’s new medical-marijuana program to cope with the physical and mental pains of combat.

“My doctors shunned me and didn’t approve of me doing it,” said Herrera, a Purple Heart recipient. “One doctor said I could get some repercussions for doing it. But I did it legally. And I know for a fact — I’m a walking testimonial — that it works.”

No one collects data on the number of veterans participating in medical-marijuana programs in the 17 states where it is legal. But veterans and program advocates say those who have served are turning to cannabis more and more to deal with the disabling symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and chronic physical pain.


Military Times.Com

And this proves what? Are we to say that just because a individual who isn't a doctor says that it helps, it does? Every persons experience is different. And this in no way shape or form makes a case to legalize it.

When I see some actual Medical test showing it to be the case, I will start to believe it. Until then, I don't care about the testimony of someone who is an advocate of making it legal.

[Eupher]

Braindead, er Benjy, have you been to the Montel Williams School of Impoverished Potheads? It doesn't take much to enroll - a nickel bag to start, but then the price goes up exponentially the longer you're in the course.

[Bad Dog]

Banjul held out as long as he could.  I knew he would get to his main issue sooner or later. He has a lot of pain to deal with repeatedly rejected from forums, no real friends and then there's Mom. Bernie, you know the weed isn't cutting it.  Might as well move on to the hard stuff, you'll feel better.

[vesta111]

Banjul held out as long as he could.  I knew he would get to his main issue sooner or later. He has a lot of pain to deal with repeatedly rejected from forums, no real friends and then there's Mom. Bernie, you know the weed isn't cutting it.  Might as well move on to the hard stuff, you'll feel better.

 

If I have a family member or a friend that returns from war with problems getting any kind of relief from ANY kind of pain, damn if I will allow them to suffer because of any kind of LAW.

Come on is there any kind of man here that would when a Son, brother or friend come home from serving us and America and tell us they need pot to keep going,  any of you turn your back and say  " Sorry, pot is against the law."   ??? 

[Eupher]

If I have a family member or a friend that returns from war with problems getting any kind of relief from ANY kind of pain, damn if I will allow them to suffer because of any kind of LAW.

Come on is there any kind of man here that would when a Son, brother or friend come home from serving us and America and tell us they need pot to keep going,  any of you turn your back and say  " Sorry, pot is against the law."   ??? 

My response would be:

"Sorry to hear you're having trouble, but if you're looking to me to help you obtain illegal drug products, you're barking up the wrong tree. Go see a doctor."

[Bad Dog]

If I have a family member or a friend that returns from war with problems getting any kind of relief from ANY kind of pain, damn if I will allow them to suffer because of any kind of LAW.

Come on is there any kind of man here that would when a Son, brother or friend come home from serving us and America and tell us they need pot to keep going,  any of you turn your back and say  " Sorry, pot is against the law."   ??? 

Better yet, how about alcohol or heroin? Substance abuse ain't going to make their problems go away.

[Zeus]

My response would be:

"Sorry to hear you're having trouble, but if you're looking to me to help you obtain illegal drug products, you're barking up the wrong tree. Go see a doctor."

The VA's stance on Pot is they will not prescribe it or help to get it but if you reside in a medical marijuana state they will not refuse treatment if you come up positive on a UA.