Amid rising suicide rates, Nebraska’s governor says there’s no evidence cannabis helps veterans with PTSD

In 2019, 6,261 veterans took their own lives in the United States, according to the latest data from the 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.

The staggering statistics showed that an average of 17 veterans committed suicide each day. The report finds that veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide as non-veterans civilians.

Recognizing that suicide is a preventable cause of death, many states are developing a variety of strategies to deal with the problem.

For veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other physical and mental health symptoms who are looking for alternative treatments, medical marijuana offers a solution, as seen in the case of Kansas veteran David Auble. He recently sent a letter to members of the Kansas Senate stating that some cancer patients like himself are in dire need of cannabis.

Hal Wortzel, a VA forensic neuropsychiatrist and researcher, previously said in a new agency post that cannabis helps people with PTSD experience fewer symptoms and recover faster than people who don’t use cannabis, Marijuana Moment reported.

Conflicting studies continue to exist with conflicting conclusions about the safety and use of marijuana. As such, it remains a controversial topic. In addition, many military veterans are barred from accessing medicinal cannabis because it is illegal at the federal level.

Who is against?

To that end, the words of some officials, such as Nebraska’s Gov. Pete Ricketts, give a clearer picture of why the issue has stalled.

At a recent press conference in a room full of veterans, Ricketts said there was no evidence medicinal cannabis worked for PTSD, KMTV 3 News Now reported.

“There’s no data to back that up,” he said after medical marijuana could help PTSD sufferers after announcing Nebraska would join 35 other states in a gubernatorial challenge to prevent suicide.

Nebraska veterans worked with mental health officials to set up a program that would improve the state’s outreach and treatment.

Photo by SDI Productions/Getty Images

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However, it seems legalization of cannabis is not being considered at all as Ricketts, unlike his predecessor Bob Kerrey, now US Senator, is not too enthusiastic about the idea.

Kerrey is known for joining fellow veteran Montel Williams in 2010 in calling for medical marijuana to be distributed in Virginia hospitals to treat PTSD.

There is still hope

On the bright side, according to a recent post on the VA website, while marijuana use is still considered federally illegal, “Veterans’ participation in state marijuana programs does not affect eligibility for VA care and – services”.

Additionally, veterans are encouraged to speak to their VA providers about medicinal cannabis, although they cannot prescribe or recommend it for medicinal purposes.

RELATED: Military veterans can use medical marijuana without losing entitlement to care and services

Meanwhile, lawmakers have taken legislative moves and made gradual breakthroughs, the most recent being a bill sponsored by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) that would allow VA physicians to discuss MMJ treatment with military veterans as patients and would protect those who are honest about their marijuana therapy history.

Under the bill, veterinarians would no longer have to worry about losing federal benefits for using medical marijuana and would be “encouraged” to speak up about these types of treatments.