Survey Of Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans Finds 61 Percent Back Recreational Marijuana

A strong majority of military veterans support legalizing marijuana and other cannabis-related reforms, according to a new survey conducted by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). The survey polled 470 IAVA members.

According to the results, 61 percent of respondents want to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes. An even larger share, 87 percent, want to allow medical use.

Veterans Weigh In On Federal Rescheduling

The poll also asked about the federal rescheduling of medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Nearly three out of four respondents said they were aware of the rescheduling, and 69 percent are in support of the reform.

The survey found that 91 percent of respondents believe cannabis should be researched for its medical potential. It also found that 88 percent want the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) itself to allow research into marijuana as a treatment option.

Gap Between Comfort And Action On Medical Cannabis

The survey additionally found a gap between comfort and action on medical cannabis. While 70 percent of respondents said they would be comfortable discussing medical cannabis with their primary care doctor, only 29 percent have actually done so.

The results come from IAVA’s survey of its members, which asked about views on recreational legalization, medical use, the federal rescheduling of marijuana under the CSA, and research into cannabis as a treatment option.

IAVA’s survey of 470 of its members found that a strong majority of military veterans support legalizing marijuana and other cannabis-related reforms, with majorities backing recreational legalization, medical use, and research into the medical potential of cannabis.