Hundreds of pill bottles litter the sidewalk surrounding the White House as around 50 people mostly veterans want the government to give equal access to medical marijuana.
On Veterans Day, several servicemen and women who had fought in different war operations participated in a march that began in McPherson Square, where they set up camp. They then walked to the headquarters of the Veterans Affairs then to the White House, where they threw several pill bottles as a symbol of the overmedication of war veterans, especially for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
They are urging the White House to grant them access to marijuana (or cannabis) for medicinal purposes through the Veterans Equal Access Amendment. Although some states have already legalized cannabis use for recreation and/or medicine, war veterans are not allowed to receive it. Health care providers are also prohibited from endorsing it, forcing the veterans to get it by other means. That will change, however, if the amendment pushes through.
The group contends that the use of prescription drugs to treat PTSD and other health issues faced by war veterans such as traumatic brain injuries only lead to more mental health problems. In McPherson Square, the protesters planted 22 flags, which they said stand for the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. Around the area where they set up tents, the group sold cannabis products including hemp lip balm. They are also encouraging people to sign a petition in support of the amendment.
In recent years, marijuana, especially its medical use, has been a common topic of debate in many nations. In the United States, it's already legal in more than 10 states, although the specific provisions of the law can vary. In Mexico, which is a known narcotic hot spot, a Supreme Court ruling tends to suggest it's a person's constitutional right to possess, grow, consume, and sell marijuana for personal use.
