This Sunday is Veterans Day, an important and vital recognition of U.S. military veterans who have served in all American wars. There were roughly 18.2 million U.S. veterans in 2017, according to the Census Bureau. The Census said about 4 million veterans had service-connected injuries in 2016, although the actual number is probably much higher, since many veterans are living with undiagnosed mental and physical injuries. Medical marijuana has come to the forefront as an effective medicinal option for veterans living with ailments related to their service to this country. If you are a veteran who qualifies by law to use cannabis in the state of Florida, you are still eligible for VA medical care and benefits. Please read below to learn more.

We know because of talking to our patients here in Florida, as well as national anecdotal evidence and various studies, marijuana – also called cannabis – has helped many veterans living with outcomes of serving in war, including:

• PTSD
• Insomnia
• Depression and anxiety
• Chronic pain

Legal Marijuana Use Does Not Disqualify You from VA Benefits

A doctor at the VA will be the first medical contact for many veterans. Although anyone associated with the VA cannot prescribe, recommend or otherwise inform you about the benefits of medical marijuana, know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs wants you to know these things, according to their website:

• You will not be denied VA benefits because you use marijuana
• VA physicians CANNOT recommend/prescribe marijuana, but they CAN discuss marijuana with you
• You are encouraged to discuss marijuana with your VA doctor if you are using it, so that he or she can factor it into your treatment planning/medication recommendations
• The VA will not pay for any portion of medical marijuana
• If you do discuss your marijuana use with the VA doctor, they will enter that fact into your medical record for treatment planning (this medical record is confidential and protected under patient privacy laws)
• Possession and/or use of marijuana is prohibited at VA grounds, buildings, locations and properties regardless of state law

How to Access Medical Cannabis as a Veteran in Florida

Because the VA will not help you with accessing or paying for medical marijuana, veterans in Florida must schedule an assessment with a certified doctor, which is the same process non-veteran citizens follow. At Access Marijuana RX, we offer an initial evaluation for the price of $225. If you are NOT eligible for medical marijuana in Florida, that fee is waived completely. If you are eligible, that price includes the experienced guidance and one-on-one customer service from our compassionate physicians. We will make sure you have all the information you need, including:

• Which cannabis strains are best for your ailments and symptoms
• Which dispensaries are closest to you
• Your options for getting marijuana delivered to your home
• Which devices are available and which may work best for you, i.e. vaping, pills, creams, tinctures, oils, etc.

If you are certified for marijuana in our state, you will soon receive a patient ID number and be able to purchase products at a dispensary.

Find Out if You are Eligible for a Marijuana Card in Florida

To arrange your consultation at our comfortable, state-of-the-art office in St. Petersburg, Florida, please call Access Marijuana RX at 727-209-5470. Our experienced physicians meet with people from across the state, including Tampa and all of the surrounding areas.