Disabled American Veterans Wisconsin passed a resolution supporting medical cannabis access for Wisconsin veterans with service-connected disabilities, according to the Cannabadger’s Gary Storck. The resolution was drafted and presented by members of Wisconsin Veterans for Compassionate Care.
Steven Acheson, one of the resolution’s authors, said the adoption was needed because “veterans are prescribed opiates at nearly twice the rate of the general population, and overdose at 50 percent higher rates,” adding that if Gov. Scott Walker is serious about curbing the state’s opiate crisis “medical marijuana needs to be part of that effort.”
“We now know in states that have medical marijuana programs, opiate abuse and overdose deaths decrease dramatically,” Acheson said in the report. “A medical marijuana program in Wisconsin will have the largest relative net positive impact on the veteran community.”
In April, Walker, a Republican, signed legislation that allows for the use of low-THC CBD oil for any medical condition so long as the patient is certified by a doctor. Bills introduced in both the House and Senate to implement a more comprehensive medical cannabis regime were referred to the respective health committees in February.
The DAV Wisconsin resolution now heads to the National DAV Convention later this year.