A staggering 83 percent of veteran households support legalizing medical marijuana, and 92 percent support more research into medicinal cannabis, according to a Thursday poll by The American Legion.
The push for marijuana legalization has ratcheted up in the midst of the opioid crisis, as more soldiers and civilians are looking for alternative medical treatments with less risk of addiction.
“Ninety-two percent of veterans support it. That’s a landslide,” said Louis Celli, a director at the Legion. “We owe it to them to do the research.”
DYK: 83 percent of #veterans households surveyed support legalizing #MedicalCannabis use. #Vets4MMJResearch #PTSD #Cannabis #TBI pic.twitter.com/GhJxv4MgyC
— The American Legion (@AmericanLegion) November 2, 2017
DYK: 92 percent of #veterans households surveyed support #MedicalCannabis research. #Vets4MMJResearch #PTSD #Cannabis #TBI pic.twitter.com/tIKWHSPJTl
— The American Legion (@AmericanLegion) November 2, 2017
The Legion also called out Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. David J. Shulkin for not prioritizing medical marijuana during a speech he gave Thursday at Harvard Law School.
Great to speak with so many #Veterans, members of the @Harvard_Law community and @DAVHQ about our mission of caring for #Veterans pic.twitter.com/M3PY0bC1cH
— Dr. David J. Shulkin (@SecShulkin) November 2, 2017
Hey Mr Secretary, we have one more agenda item for you #MedicalCannabis research.
— American Legion DC (@LegioninDC) November 2, 2017
Shulkin delivered the 2017 Disabled American Veterans Distinguished Lecture, but did not discuss medical marijuana as an alternative treatment for issues such as chronic pain, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
These remarks come after Gallup conducted a poll last month showing support for marijuana legalization at all-time high of 64 percent.
The American Legion poll surveyed 1,360 respondent and had a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percent.
You can Follow Nick on Twitter and Facebook
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.