November 11, 2022
Leading Cannabis Group Launches Advocacy Initiative for Montana’s Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) launched a new advocacy initiative to enable veterans to voice their support for comprehensive federal regulatory cannabis reform. The initiative will empower Montana’s veterans to share their experiences and their support for cannabis reform with their members of Congress.
“Our rights and freedoms wouldn’t be possible without the brave service and dedication of our veterans,” stated Andrew Freedman, executive director of CPEAR. “Unfortunately, many of our veterans who choose medical cannabis to treat the invisible wounds of war are treated unfairly under the current federal regime, even if they live in a state that has legalized adult use or medical cannabis. The federal prohibition of cannabis prevents veterans from possessing or using cannabis without risk of losing their well-earned benefits. The solution is straightforward: we need federal cannabis reform. We encourage Montana’s veterans to make their voice heard in the effort to achieve this critical goal.”
Around 20 percent of the 2.7 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will experience PTSD or depression, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Some studies have shown cannabis has a positive effect on treating PTSD, while others have shown more mixed results. It is clear PTSD is a complicated illness, and cannabis is a complicated plant. More research is needed to understand the best ways to utilize cannabis to treat PTSD. In the meantime, veterans should be able to access cannabis with close doctor supervision to see if it can help with their condition.
Following this week’s midterm elections, an estimated 158 million Americans live in 37 states with some sort of legalized cannabis, including Montana. Eighty-three percent of U.S. veterans support medical cannabis programs and 70 percent of voters support federal cannabis reform, including 68 percent of Republicans.
To learn more about CPEAR’s veterans’ advocacy program, visit http://cpear.org/veterans.
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About the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation
A 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) works to advance comprehensive policy solutions for cannabis regulation. The Coalition strives to be a trusted, science-driven resource for lawmakers and the larger stakeholder community, developing responsible policies that protect consumers and patients, prevent underage use, uphold public health and safety, and promote social equity. Comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders, the Coalition brings unique perspectives to the table to thoughtfully address what a federally regulated cannabis industry should look like. To learn more, visit www.CPEAR.org and follow us on Twitter.