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WASHINGTON OFFICE 1608 STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, DC. 20006 i
(202) 861-2700 

 

OFFICE OF THE
NATIONAL COMMANDER 

September 19, 2017

The Honorable David Shulkin (00)
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs
.810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20402

'Dear Mr. Secretary:

Fer more than a year, The American Legion has called on the federal government to support and enable scientific
research to clinically confirm the medicinal value of cannabis..The National Academy-of Medicine recently
reviewed 10,000 scientific abstracts on the therapeutic value of cannabis and reached nearly 100 conclusions in
a report issued earlier this year. As a two million member strong veteran service organization, our primary
interest'and advocacy is grounded in the wellbeing and improvedhealth of our veterans, and specifically our
service disabled veterans; I

The Scottsdale Research Institute, outside of Phoenix Arizona, is currently in phase one of an FDA-Approved
Marijuana/PTSD research study, being conducted in collaboration with the National institute of Health (NIH)
National institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This study is a Placebo?Controlled, Triple-Blind, Randomized Crossover
Pilot Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Four Different Potencies of Smoked Marijuana in 76 Veterans with
Chronic, Treatment?Resistant Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The American Legion is a strong, vocai proponent of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and has published
several books, pamphlets, and magazines that help Showcase value to The United States of America. Our
members have long been a ferocious advocate for evidence-based, complementary and alternative medicines
and therapies. For decades, we have supported increased funding and research in such therapies as hyperbaric
oxygen therapy, Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG), animal therapy, recreational therapy,
meditation, and mindfulness therapies, just to name a few, to improve outcomes for veterans confronted with
PTSD. 

The American Legion supports statutory medical research mission and has donated millions of dollars -
toward expanding scientific research. VA innovation is widely championed for its breakthrough discoveries
in medicine and has been recognized over the years with three Nobel Prizes for scientific work that has benefited
the world over.

The research being conducted by the Scottsdale institute is the first cannabis based research of its kind in The
United States and could potentially produce scientific evidence that will enhance, improve, and save the lives of
veterans suffering from post?traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many veterans have approached us to tell us that

 

September 19, 2017
Secretary Shulkin Ltr.
Page #2

access to cannabis has materially improved their health and well-being. While their stories are very compelling,
we need clinical evidence to have a fact-based discussion on the future of cannabis policy.

The VA is a national scientific research leader with a statutory obligation to care for and improve the lives of our
nation?s veterans. The American Legion calls on the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist the Scottsdale
Institute, in accordance with existing policies and regulations Directive 1200 ?2.b and ?5.tt VHA
Handbook 1200.01 ?8.g and ?10.a(1) VHA Handbook 1200.05 that states, in part,-

Thisguidance does not preclude VA clinicians, in the normal course of their clinical duties,
from discussing specific research studies with their patients where appropriate, and referring them
to a non- VA in vestiga torfor more information about a non? VA study. However, VA personnel should
not provide the non- VA investigator with the names or contact information of Veterans who might
be eligible for the study. Instead, the VA clinician should provide the Veteran with the contact
informationfor the non- VA investigator so the Veteran may initiate contact if he/she is interested' in
participating in the non-VA study. 

The Carl .T. Hayden Phoenix VA Health Care System is ideally geographically located to assist with this effort and
should enthusiastically take the lead in assisting with this research study. There is an overwhelming body of
evidence suggesting that cannabis is effective in treating a number of service connected related illnesses,
including PTSD and chronic pain, the two most persistent and widespread illnesses and injuries plaguing our
veteran community. Without the assistance of the Department, this study is inj'eopardy of failing due to lack of
viable test participants. Project scientists have screened thousands of applicants, but due to the strict
requirements of the study which is required to produce reliable scientific data, nearly 99 percent of these
applicants are eliminated for a variety of screening reasons. This study needs 50 more participants and the
Phoenix VA is in the best possible position to assist by simply allowing principle investigators to brief VAMC
medical staff on the progress of the study, and by allowing clinicians to reveal the existence of the study to
potential pa rtICIpa nts. -

Your immediate attention in this important matter is greatly appreciated. We ask for your direct involvement
to ensure this critical research is fully enabled.

Wreiy, TH
DE ISEI H. 

National Commander