SUPPORT THE PHILLIPS BILL

This year, the Department of Veteran Affairs has announced that
patients being treated at VA facilities will be allowed to use
medical marijuana if they live in one of the 14 states where it is
legal. Under prior department rules, veterans treated in a VA
hospital or clinic could be denied pain medications if they were
found to be using marijuana.

The new policy states that patients participating in state medical
marijuana programs must not be denied VHA services or pain
medications. The policy also states that doctors may still reduce or
change a patient's medication if there is a risk of interaction with
the marijuana, but the decision will be based on an individual
patient's case and not as a blanket rule.

Research and patient testimonies have shown that the amount of
prescription pain medication such as oxycontin and morphine can be
reduced when taken in conjunction with medical marijuana for reducing
chronic pain. Reducing the amount of highly addictive prescription
pain medications with a less harmful and less addictive substance
such as marijuana can lead to a better quality of life.

Shouldn't the veterans of Alabama be just as worthy of a better
quality of life as the veterans of California or any of the other 13
states where medical marijuana is legal?

If you think they do, please support our veterans by contacting your
senators and representatives and ask them to vote yes for the Michael
Phillips Compassionate Care Bill in the next legislative session.

Dawn Palmer

Tarrant