V.A. Says Veterans Can Now Use Medical Marijuana

[Political Tiger]

In a historic decision, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will now formally allow patients treated at its hospitals and clinics to use medical marijuana in states where it is legal.

It's a day to remember, according to Steve Fox, director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project. "We now have a branch of the federal government accepting marijuana as a legal medicine," Fox said.

The policy clarification has been sought by veterans and advocates for years, reports Dan Frosch at The New York Times.

A department directive, expected to take effect next week, resolves the conflict in V.A. hospitals between federal law, which outlaws marijuana for any purpose, and medical marijuana laws in the 14 states that allow medicinal use of cannabis.

Like the decision by Obama's Justice Department to back off on marijuana dispensary raids in states that have legalized medical pot, the new V.A. policy essentially means the federal government is deferring to state medical marijuana laws.

http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2010/07/va_says_veterans_can_now_use_medical_marijuana.php

[Oregone]

1. "in states where it is legal"

Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't this one strange cluster-fucked decision? A federal branch allowing patients to use an illegal substance (according to the federal government) in states that allow it? I mean really...where do you begin with this?


"A department directive, expected to take effect next week, resolves the conflict in V.A. hospitals between federal law, which outlaws marijuana for any purpose"

Resolve? You call that a resolution? I can think of a few better ones right off the top of my head.

[Political Tiger]

2. I would think most people would greet this as positive news.

But I guess there are people who are just determined to complain no matter what. I'd hate to be so cynical, so bitter....wouldn't you?

[Oregone]

3. Its strange news

Depending on where you live, the federal government says it ok for you to use a federally banned substance (but its still illegal for you to do so according to the federal government). Thats fuckn weird. Hurray for people living in progressive states, but really, WTF? Schizophrenic federal government

(one branch allowing it medically (giving credibility to its medicinal properties) while another branch working to keep it from those who need it in *all* states, more or less (and working harder in states that don't allow it, even for the aforementioned patients))

Strange news, indeed. I wish the federal government would man up and look for a federal medical program already (like in Canada).

Gotta wonder when the first DEA bust will be of a VA patient after this decision (in a state that allows it). Thats going to get headlines.