Question:
I live in the State of Alabama and suffer with chronic pain as well as PTSD. I receive VA Benefits and compensation which I depend highly on. The drugs they issue me are not helping and I want to use cannabis so I can function without pain. The policy states if your state authorizes medical cannabis, it's ok and you won't lose your benefits but it doesn't mention if you use cannabis from another source outside Alabama. There is no LEGAL distribution in Alabama as of yet and my legal residence is in Alabama. If it is detected in my blood, will I lose my benefits? Where does the VA okay it?
Jim's Reply:
Your VA is well aware that many veterans use marijuana for any number of reasons, whether medical or recreational. While it's difficult to define a distinct policy because marijuana is illegal at the federal level, VA doesn't care at all about you burning some rope. Because of the opioid crisis that is harming so many Americans today, the VA and almost every civilian health care provider is screening every patient at every opportunity to look for drug abuse. At VA, when your provider sees a lab test that indicates you've used one of eight drugs screened for, you'll probably get referred to a treatment program but none of this has any effect on your disability benefits...you will not lose VA disability benefits because you smoke pot. VA won't have any idea what your resource is and wouldn't care. Your health provider might tell you that you're no longer allowed to be prescribed narcotics for your chronic pain because of your illicit substance use but that's as far as it goes. In the not too distant past, VA providers weren't even allowed to speak with you about marijuana as a medical alternative and today they can do that even though they can't prescribe or recommend. Always remember that in many regions marijuana is still illegal and will get you a set of handcuffs to try on...use your own good judgment and talk with your doctor.