The original "POW" logo

UPDATE:  The group formerly known as Veterans For Weed has altered their name after the nation’s largest organization for combat veterans raised objections to the use of the VFW acronym. The Veterans group will now be called Veterans For Weed United. A message on their website now reads, “We have chosen to remove all current artwork using the VFW sign. We respect the Veterans of Foreign Wars and apologize for any inconvenience this caused them with the similar abbreviation.”

A pro-marijuana group has offended the nation’s largest group of combat veterans by using the group’s modified logo on their web site, Facebook page, and on t-shirts, hats and other marijuana-related items.

The group, based in Milwaukee, is called Veterans for Weed. They borrowed the logo from the National League of POW/MIA Families that show a silhouette of a soldier and a prison tower. The group has altered the logo to show the soldier smoking a joint.  Their website and Facebook page was filling up with complaints asking them to stop using the POW/MIA logo and the VFW acronym, which also represents the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Veterans for Weed logo

The Veterans for Weed, so far, have not backed down. A representative for the group, identified as Hemp Solo and a Marine veteran, said they did now intend to offend anyone and apologize to those they did offend. But the image is not copyrighted, so they say there is no legal reason why they should stop using it.

The website had a message posted today that said, “We did not alter the POW flag lightly, or because we were high. We take it very seriously.” But they did get a cease and desist letter from legal counsel of the Veterans of Foreign Wars that said if they wanted to avoid further legal action by the VFW, that Veterans for Weed must immediately cease using VFW on communications, products, or other representations. [Update from Russ: Veterans for Weed has changed to "Veterans for Weed United", or VFWU, to avoid a lawsuit.]  The letter clearly stated that the VFW is not affiliated with and does not support Veterans for Weed or any of their initiatives.  The statement does agree that the logo, however, is not copyrighted and is in the public domain, but called terms used on the website highly offensive, such as “stoner soldier” and “semper high”.

A chairman of the National League of POW/MIA families said that offenders will usually stop using their logo when asked, or when pressured by members of POW/MIA family members. She said that all they can legally do is to keep asking them to do what is right and responsible. Hemp Solo said in a statement for the Veterans for Weed group that the usage of the logo is important to get attention to the issue of vets who are jailed and their lives are ruined because of a little pot. He says that they have also received quite a bit of positive feedback as well, so they like that he logo is stirring up the conversations. Solo said that when you are in prison because of pot, they you are a POW, a prisoner of weed.

External Links:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2012-02-01/marijuana-group-pow/52912452/1?csp=34news

(New York Times) DENVER — The Department of Veterans Affairs will formally allow patients treated at its hospitals and clinics to use medical marijuana in states where it is legal, a policy clarification that veterans have sought for several years.

The policy will not permit department doctors to prescribe marijuana. But it will address the concern of many patients who use the drug that they could lose access to their prescription pain medication if caught.

Under department rules, veterans can be denied pain medications if they are found to be using illegal drugs. Until now, the department had no written exception for medical marijuana.

Well, hooray!

At least for the veterans who live in the fourteen states that allow for medical marijuana.  If you’re using medical marijuana in the other 36 states, you can bet the V.A. will still be denying your pain medications.

And for those vets using medical marijuana for PTSD, let’s hope you live in California or New Mexico, because those are the only two of the medical marijuana states that recognize that condition as deserving protection from arrest.  The other twelve won’t let you get a card or use a recommendation for medical marijuana if PTSD is your only condition.

And if you’re a vet in California, Colorado, or Montana, you still have to hope that some rogue sheriff or district attorney is OK with medical marijuana, lest they conduct a raid on the source of your medicine, often with the DEA in assistance or leading the raid.

I’ve often remarked that if you can pick up a rifle for Uncle Sam, you ought to be able to smoke a joint and drink a beer while on pass.  It is a travesty that we deny our veterans the natural, effective, and safe medicine so effective at soothing the mental anguish that is PTSD.  Kudos for the Veterans Administration making this first baby step toward sensible federal marijuana policy – the first time any entity of the federal government has formally recognized marijuana as medicine (unless you count the Compassionate Investigative New Drug Program and cannabinoid patent #6630507 and federal research documenting THC’s anti tumoral properties back in 1974…)

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Hemp Headlines

1. New Mexico’s veterans experiencing federal VA offices that won’t allow doctors to assist a patient receive medical marijuana in any way
2. Michael Mineo’s case against NYPD officers he claimed sodomized him with a baton over a pot smoking offense ends in acquittal for all three officers
3. California’s Bryan Epis runs out of appeals and is headed back to federal prison for growing medical marijuana

Daily Toker Tunes

• electric Tuesday: Ris Paul Ric – “Purple Blaze”

Cannabis Conversations

• Alison Holcomb from ACLU of Washington explains why the ACLU will not be supporting the I-1068 legalization initiative
• Douglas Hiatt from NORML Legal Committee rebuts ACLU’s position on his I-1068 initiative

California Marijuana Report with Eric Brenner

Demonstrators and Protestors Needed Today @ 10:00am.

Medical Marijuana patient with AIDS is being kicked out of Spokane Veterans Home because he needs Medical Marijuana

Spokane, WA – Media Release: 07-20-09

http://www.dva.wa.gov/washington_state_veterans_homes.html
“The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs manages three facilities throughout the state, where veterans are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, in distinctive settings that all provide a sense of belonging unique to veterans.”

Don Varney an HIV AIDS patient is being kicked out of Spokane Veterans Home 2 weeks ahead of schedule of his physical therapy from a total hip replacement due to the fact that he has a legal Medical Marijuana recommendation in the state of Washington.

Doctors on the coast that did the surgery were insisting that Don go to the Spokane Veterans Home in Spokane because of the 2 large security dogs he had in his home, in fear that the dogs might jump on him and damage the surgery that was done for a total left hip replacement.

Had the Spokane Veterans Home known ahead of time that he had a legal Medical Marijuana Recommendation they would never have allowed him to be admitted to the Spokane Veterans Home… This statement was made by the director of Spokane Veterans Home to Don Varney and John Gervais Sr., a good friend of Don’s and fellow patient, while in a meeting to figure out how Don Varney could administer his medications while he being admitted to the Spokane Veterans Home.

On top of all this the director forced Don Varney to go off the property into the general public to medicate against state law to keep his Medical Marijuana private, even though he had previously allowed Don to have Medical Marijuana on his person while in the Spokane Veterans Home. Don was forced into the general public to administer his state recognized Medical Marijuana off of VA property. “Go out to the sidewalk. Do your medication there and then return with your medication and pipe in your pocket.” These were the director’s words.

Don Varney’s weight loss is proof of the effects of not taking or being able to take his Medical Marijuana. Don has lost 4 pounds in the week since he has been denied his legal right to use his Medical Marijuana which helps him be able to have an appetite to eat. Medical Marijuana has shown to promote weight gain and prolong the life of HIV and AIDS patients.

The outcome we want is very simple. We want the VA and all private and public hospitals to recognize the patient’s right to exercise their right to use their legal Medical Marijuana within the guidelines of the Washington State RCW69.51a.

Protesters are congregating in front of the Spokane Veterans Home on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 10am. A portion of the state VFW and many Veterans have been contacted for support of this issue. Verification can be run through John Gervais Sr. at 509-981-2388. For additional information please contact Melissa Leggee, Owner of CBR Medical, Inc at 509-570-2886.

Sincerely,

Melissa Leggee
President

Kevin Oliver, Executive Director
Inland Northwest NORML
www.innorml.org
kevin@innorml.org
1-866-706-2013

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

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.

OTTAWA — The military may strictly forbid marijuana use by its soldiers, but the federal government has decided to pay for medical cannabis for some veterans.

Veterans Affairs has reversed a previous ban, now saying it “may provide payment in relation to the associated costs of medically required marijuana to clients who have qualified.”

Payments can be made only to veterans licensed by Health Canada to possess medical marijuana, and who buy government-certified cannabis produced on contract by a firm in Flin Flon, Manitoba.

The policy change was approved last October, but is only now being communicated to veterans who require the product for pain management and other severe medical conditions.

About eight veterans licensed by Health Canada are having their medical marijuana bills picked up by taxpayers, said Janice Summerby, spokeswoman for Veterans Affairs.

Wow, a large North American country with legal medical marijuana coast to coast, extending their government-paid Universal Health Care coverage to pay for marijuana!  How are the Canadians dealing with the inevitable socialism and teenage heroin addiction that’s sure to result?

This country was founded by Hemp Farmers!

In our Declaration of Independence, Jefferson declared to the world the right to live free is self-evident and given by a power higher than the government, and it was the responsibility of the government to protect those freedoms.

According to this Founding Father, the government’s only legitimate function is to protect our freedom. It exists only to prevent one person from intruding on the freedom of another.

Don't tread on our veterans!

Our government itself now intrudes on people’s freedom and Americans legitimately live in fear of our government every day.

This is a short commentary piece I’ve written in support of all veterans, but especially those who are returning home from war right now. As a retired military combat veteran of more than 20 years of service, I’m proud of you and welcome home!

United States Navy

You’ve come home at a good time; our country is currently in crisis, but the crisis is working to bring all Americans together in peaceful resolution. For those of you with PTSD, you are going to face a challenge. I know, most of you are going to say you don’t have PTSD. You’ll deny it until someday you’ll stop and say, “I’m tired of that train wreck of an incident playing over and over in my head.” Then you’ll ask for help from the VA, and they will give you opium.

United States Army

Yes, that’s correct, the Veterans Administration passes out anti-depressants and opium (in pill form) like crazy! The only problem is, they don’t make you feel better and in fact, you might just want to kill yourself before getting better.

Or, if you live in one of the states that has Medical Marijuana, you could see a qualified doctor to help you on your recovery and he might just recommend Medical Marijuana. The catch? You can’t go back to the VA.

MAP – Cannabis relieves pain, enables sleep, normalizes gastrointestinal function and restores peristalsis. Fortified by improved digestion and adequate rest, the patient can resist being overwhelmed by triggering simuli. There is no other psychotherapeutic drug with these synergistic and complementary effects.

United States Marine Corps

Veterans in states with medical marijuana laws are faced with an especially unfair decision, use medical marijuana and leave the VA or take the VA’s medicine and stop using medical marijuana.

Medical Marijuana is the best medicine available for PTSD, and our own laws prohibit the largest group of potential patients this product could serve.

Although the decision sounds fairly easy to make, it isn’t. For instance, a soldier who had some serious medical issues as a result of a combat injury in addition to PTSD needs attention. If this soldier were to use Medical Marijuana, they would not be allowed to use the VA for anything, not even to treat their medical issues. So their choice may help them medically, but because of the anti-depressants, they might kill themselves (it’s the highest suicide rate profession in the world).

United States Air Force

Besides this being a very sticky technical issue, the long term perception from the Veterans is playing out in ways we never thought possible. As a member of several Veteran organizations, I frequently interface with returning veterans and those who returned many years ago. The overwhelming consensus among Veterans groups is their government has abandoned them and has trivialized their sacrifice.

More than 70% of our soldiers are returning home with PTSD, with 94% of our returning soldiers having personally witnessed a violent and gruesome death of a friend or fellow service member. Out of that 70%, a measurable number of those people will take anti-depressants, others will take opiates, some with take both, others will use illicit drugs, while most will drink heavily. Many will kill themselves, and it’s likely that at least one will take their own life after taking the lives of their family first.

United States Coast Guard

We need to allow the VA to give these heroes the choice of medicating with medical marijuana. They need help, and this is a NON-TOXIC anti-depressant that doesn’t make one want to kill themselves. It helps one sleep, gain an appetite, and even alleviates some pain. Don’t our heroes deserve it?

Mr. President, do you still think this is funny?

Hello NORML,

I must begin by saying your website has a lot of great information, and made me feel more like a person, than a pothead, and I thank you for that.

I have been both a Prince George’s County fire fighter and Marine. During that time I broke over 8 bones, folded my knee backwards, on fire twice resulting in ICU care, hit by a car, and involved in many war situations all at different times.

I got out of the Marines and could not relax or concentrate, or even answer a question without yelling, I went to the doc and he gave me Xanax which made me sick and tired, then Effexor which made me run in circles, and insane brain zaps after I flushed it, followed by Ritalin which made me one-minded and skinny as a stick.

I never drank or did drugs growing up but after all the stressful fire and Marine stuff I was not right, ADHD/PTSD

I smoked marijuana for the first time at age 27; I am now 34. All the meds the doc gave me had more bad effects then good. Marijuana calms me, helps me pay attention, makes me eat, sleep, and turns on a quest for self preservation.

I do not understand why something that helps me and so many others is illegal. I really want to learn more about what I can do to help my friends and people who are zombies because of manmade pills. I know Marines that are drugged up on doc’s meds and will not leave the house; kinda odd how we can smoke some marijuana and everything is fine.

The VA throws excuses and orange bottles at us, until we are so drugged up we quit trying to make sense of what we went through, while the gov’t makes their cents.

Marijuana grows in the earth, pills are made by humans, and tested on a small amount of the public, who have never seen war and death, and I really do not understand this country at all. But we can have a tobacco tax for something that is not even tobacco. Like a Camel cartoon is really affecting the kids.

If my friend was prescribed some marijuana, and not anti-depressants, I do not think I would have found him dead, hanging from a cord in his room.

Marijuana always made him happy, he was afraid of being arrested.