A group of veterans and supporters of medical marijuana marched to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the White House, and dumped several empty pill bottles as a symbolic action to urge the government to make the drug accessible to veterans.
As reported in Washington Post, a number of servicemen and women showed a demonstration to the White House during Veterans Day. They believe that Veterans Affairs hospitals are over medicating veterans, prescribing them with a massive amount of psychotic medications to treat PSTD. The veterans and protesters are said to be affiliated with various veteran and marijuana advocacy organizations. They marched from McPherson Square going to the Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters, then to the White House. Some of who are smoking joints along the way which is illegal in D.C.
"Here's what the over-medication of our veterans looks like," they said as they spilled the canisters onto the floor. "We don't want it."
Meanwhile, Veteran Affairs health care providers cannot talk about medical marijuana options to their patients. This holds true even in states where legal medical marijuana programs are available.
However, it is said that a bill in Congress, the Veterans Equal Access Amendment, will allow health care providers recommendations about participating in medical marijuana programs.
In an interview with one of the veterans, Jose Martinez, 27, a triple amputee who stepped on a bomb while serving in Afghanistan last 2012 has expressed his concern over the health care of veterans.
"There's something seriously wrong going on. It's disgusting," he said. He is reported to be using marijuana. He already stopped taking prescribed pills.
As part of the rally last Monday and Tuesday, about 50 people slept in tents in McPherson Square according to organizers. They outfitted McPherson Square for the rally, selling cannabis products and giving away samples. There are also pictures of veterans using marijuana.
Furthermore, there were twenty two small American flags planted in the ground at the front of the park to represent the oft-cited statistic (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2015/02/04/the-missing-context-behind-a-widely-cited-statistic-that-there-are-22-veteran-suicides-a-day/ ) that 22 veterans commit suicide each day. Each flag has an empty pill bottle and glow sticks to represent syringes.
Veterans are trying to pass a petition to President Obama and the Senate to support the Veterans Equal Access Amendment. Do you think medical marijuana will eventually be accessible to veterans given their plight during the Veterans Day? Let us know by leaving your comments below.
