SERVING OUR VETERANS, DITCHING THE IDEOLOGY

Everyone knows war results in the death and destruction of human life.
Any veteran can tell you it's not like in the movies. And for those
injured vets who live to tell about it, any and all effective,
appropriate means for medical care are welcome.

The only problem is, certain proven procedures have been "off the
table" for non-medical reasons. One of America's leading
organizations promoting innovative approaches to such care is Veterans
for Medical Marijuana Access. Incorporated in 2007, VMMA can claim
sole ownership to the title of being this country's only advocate for
veterans' rights to access medical marijuana for therapeutic purposes.

Thus far, VMMA has been busy in a number of areas. As Executive
Director Martin Chilcutt points out, "The VMMA is serious about
minimizing whatever potential harm comes from using marijuana. I've
talked to a good number of vets from around the country at
conventions, on the phone and at veterans hospitals, and they tell me
there's a real concern about conviction and going to jail. That's why
we take this issue so seriously."

Because of this concern, VMMA works with all legislative bodies, both
locally and nationally, to endorse the responsible, therapeutic use of
medical marijuana. Implied in this effort is the legislative push to
end all prohibitions associated with the use of medical marijuana.

Chilcutt, who is a veteran and has a service-connected disability,
adds that another primary focus of the organization is helping to
preserve the long-established, doctor-patient relationship. "Privacy
rights are a big issue when it comes to medical marijuana," says
Chilcutt, a licensed psychotherapist. "Vets need to know it's safe to
openly discuss this topic within the Veterans Administration
health-care system."

A related concern for VMMA, according to Chilcutt, is a present-day
political reality about making medical marijuana available to
veterans. He notes, "The current administration in Washington is
blocking medical research on medical marijuana. There are many
research centers that want to do it, but the Drug Enforcement
Administration will not let them. It's political garbage, because a
lot of research has been done in other countries showing how much it
helps various conditions."

Showing his passion for the cause, Chilcutt lambasts what he sees as
political cowardice on the part of government leaders. And all at the
expense of those injured men and woman who have been willing to pay
the ultimate price for their country. "The Bush/Cheney administration
is betraying us," he concludes. "The veterans they say they support,
many of them need and use medical marijuana. The lack of action from
the top speaks louder than their words of support for the troops."

For more information on VMMA, go to www.veteransformedicalmarijuana.org