Issue Position: Medical Marijuana & Legalization

Issue Position

Many veterans suffering from chronic pain and PTSD report improved healthcare outcomes from medical cannabis and I'm proud to stand with the American Legion in calling for the removal of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug and permit its use to treat ailments that veterans, and others, face. It may also alleviate some of the dependence on opioids for pain relief and that, alone, is a meaningful reason to consider moving in that direction.

On the issue of full legalization, I'd like to see our government permit full research on the subject. The Schedule 1 classification means that we can't even conduct studies on the effect of legalization. Perhaps it's the military officer in me, but I'm all about thoughtful planning and research before diving head first into fully opening that door.

But I hope the state -- and the federal government -- begin to relax its unnecessarily rigid position on medical cannabis.

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