Letters: VA marijuana policy outllined via mlive.com
Gabriel Perez director of Lutz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Saginaw Michigan recently wrote a letter to the editor of The Saginaw News to explain the VA policy regarding Medical Marijuana and Pain Management.
Editor, The News:
As a clarification to the article on medical marijuana in the VA, it is important for veteran patients and visitors of the VA medical center in Saginaw and community based outpatient clinics in Alpena, Clare, Gaylord, Oscoda and Traverse City to understand how the new law regarding the use of medical marijuana will be handled by VA medical center police and practitioners.
The legalization of medical marijuana in Michigan is acknowledged. However, pursuant to federal law, VA physicians, nurse practitioners and other licensed clinicians are not authorized or permitted to participate in the recommendation for treatment of or prescribing medical marijuana to a VA patient that would otherwise be legal in Michigan. Furthermore, the VA will not dispense, prescribe or store medical marijuana, and its possession on VA property remains illegal and a criminal offense.
However, it is acknowledged that testing positive for marijuana in a patient, based upon a random drug screening, will not serve as a breach of the current pain management agreement if the patient submits documentation in support of the marijuana being prescribed and dispensed in conformity with Michigan law.
The above withstanding, veteran patients and visitors who are registered users of medical marijuana must follow all laws and regulations for the possession and use of the medical marijuana and shall not bring medical marijuana on the grounds of the VA medical center. Possession on federal grounds remains illegal and may subject the possessor to appropriate criminal charges.
Our priority to provide quality health care to veterans remains steadfast. A veteran’s care and the right to pain management continue to be very important in enhancing the veteran’s health care outcomes.
Veterans with questions or concerns regarding their participation with medical marijuana may be directed to their primary care provider.
Gabriel Perez
director
Lutz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Saginaw
I’m glad that Mr. Perez took the time to recognize that medical marijuana was not only legal in Michigan but that by using it, a veteran would not jeopardize his access to the other treatments that they need. This common sense approach is far better than the “deny and die” policy of such prestigious hospitals like Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center and The UCLA Medical Center who denied the transplant of a liver for Timothy Garon just because of his legitimate and legal use of marijuana.
100% disabled veteran in Maine being denied much need pain management care due to medical marijuana use via State of Maine Medical Marijuana Law. Went six months, gave clean urine screen and primary care physician still would not discuss anything about clean test or medical marijuana.
Veteran is no longer entitled to the same measure of care at Togus VAMC in Maine due to medical marijuana use. “You people in Maine voted for that.and it has nothing to do with the VA”.
To date my health has declined and continues to decline and the VA doctors all support neglecting my health care needs which has been determental to my well being both physicall and mentally.
I HAVE BEEN FORCED OUTSIDE THE TOGUS VAMC AT MY OWN EXPENSE FOR MEDICAL CARE I ONCE RECEIVED AT TOGUS AND AM ENTITLED TO RECEIVE AS A 100% DISABLED VETERAN.
I AM WORKING ON TRYING TO GET THIS MATTER CORRECT.
ARE YOU A DISABLED VETERAN WHO RECEIVES YOU CARE A TOGUS VAMC?
ARE YOU BEING SCREWED DUE TO YOUR LEGAL MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE?
WANT TO WORK TOGETHER TO CHANGE THE BAD VA POLICY HURTING US?
CONTACT ME VIA E-MAIL AT: linneken519@hotmail.com
That is really good news for our returning Vets in MI. I still worry about the rest of our Vets that go home to OK, IA, or NC (or any other state for that matter).