Photo by Jason Walker
Dozens of Texas veterans showed up at a scheduled Veteran’s Day parade in New Braunfels today, marching in hopes of bringing attention to medical marijuana and how it could help service related injuries like PTSD. The organizations? Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana and the Texas chapter of Veterans for Natural Rights.
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“Our Veterans Day march in New Braunfels was a big success,” said David Bass, leader of Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana. “We had 40 vets and their family members and supporters in the parade. We were cheered by the onlookers and many veterans told us that they appreciate our work.”
There are many Veteran’s Day parades across the state. So what is the significance of New Braunfels?This sits firmly within the Senate District of Senator Donna Campbell, who just so happened to be the featured speaker of the event.
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Flashback to the end of the 2019 Texas Legislative Session. During a debate on the Senate Floor for adding qualifying conditions to the Texas Compassionate Use Program, Campell is infamously quoted as saying:
“A study was done, a post-mortem, so a retrospective study done, looking at autopsies and drug levels, what drugs were in the systems of veterans who committed suicide, and 70% had THC.”
This proclamation was an arguement against adding post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying conditon.
The only problem is that fact checkers and advocates alike say the study doesn’t exist. Such a study could not be found by members of the media. The Houston Chronicle rated the claim “pants on fire”, and Senator Campbell has to this date failed to provide details. It should be noted that the Senator is an ER physician.
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Since the end of the Session, veteran advocates have been strategizing on how to continue to educate the public and politicians. Marching in this parade was key.
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“I introduced myself to Senator Campbell and asked her if she would like to meet our veterans,” said Bass. “Senator Campbell shook all of our hands and talked to us. Our vets told her that we need a medical marijuana program in 2021. Senator Campbell thanked us for our work and told us she will meet with us. She promised to work to get PTSD included in a medical marijuana program in Texas.”
Photo by Jax Finkel
Such a commitment seems a strong 180 degree turn from June. But this can only be considered a step in the right direction. As cannabis reform has swept the country, year by year we are seeing those who once vehemently opposed to cannabis slowly come around. And the irony should not be lost that veterans, whose service has long been over, continue to lead.
Major Bass continues to be proud of this service after service. “We accomplished our mission today. We are very appreciative that we were able to participate in this beautiful patriotic event today in New Braunfels.”
***Feature image by Jax Finkel, Executive Director for the Texas chapter of the National Organization for Reforming Marijuana Laws ( TX NORML) texasnorml.org
I suffer from PTSD from car accidents I was paralyzed from the whole right side of body when I went three window. Its also caused me to get back surgery. I’m back in Texas and be given pills after many years not taking any. Which has me feeling suicidal.
Let’s just talk about the facts when marijuana come into question. How many deaths has it caused? They even say it is a gateway drug. Let’s talk about how people that can no longer get pain medicine turn to heroin.Stop the propaganda and just stick to facts. The fact that alcohol causes countless deaths a year is still legal. Greed is the bottom line. Free the weed!