Australian military veterans have recognised for many years that the psychiatric medications used to treat their combat injuries are not effective long term, and are causing suicides.

Since 2017 Australian veterans have been fighting for their lives against the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for approval to use a safer and more effective psychiatric medication option. ABC - the young veterans breaking the law to treat their PTSD, ABC - Veterans using weed to treat PTSD

Unlike traditional mental health medications, research and evidence from patients show how medicinal cannabis interacts with our body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) to regulate mood, emotions, stress, and cognition. This makes it essential for mental health and overall well-being.

Studies, including the Royal Commissions literature review, show that the psychiatric medications approved by the Dept of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) for PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are often ineffective long-term and are associated with severe side effects, such as suicidal ideation and suicide.

Key findings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran suicides literature review include:

• Anxiety and depression significantly increase suicide risk, with depression being the leading risk factor among ADF members.(RC Lit Review, pg 30)

• Anti-anxiety medication prescriptions among veterans are a stronger predictor of suicide than anxiety or depression diagnoses.(RC Lit Review, pg 30)

• In midlife and older women veterans, long-term psychoactive medication use and polypharmacy (multiple psychoactive medications) heighten suicide risk, even when controlling for psychiatric and substance use disorders.(RC Lit Review, pg 37)

• Long-term use of opioids and benzodiazepines, especially when combined with three or more mental health medications, is linked to higher suicide risk.(RC Lit Review, pg 46)

• Anti-epileptic drugs and other long-term psychoactive medications are strongly associated with unintentional overdose deaths.(RC Lit Review, pg 46)

The Royal Commissions final report acknowledges some veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD are experiencing symptomatic relief and an improvement in their conditions by using medicinal cannabis. Veterans have reported improved mental health outcomes through ECS modulation. (RC Vol 4, 14.2.4, 115–116; Pyrah - ANON-Z1E7-QM5G-1)

The Royal Commission's final report highlights the need for Defence and the DVA to prioritize research into medicinal cannabis's health benefits and address the barriers preventing veterans from accessing this novel therapy. (RC Vol 4, 14.2.4, 116)

Despite years of advocacy and the findings of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicides, the DVA continues to deny approval for medicinal cannabis as a treatment for mental health conditions. This refusal persists despite mounting evidence that current psychiatric medications often fail long-term and are linked to increased suicide risk among veterans.

The No More Zombie Veterans movement has developed a Comparative Review of Pharmacological Mental Health Medications vs. Medicinal Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This review highlights the severe side effects of traditional medications, including dependency and heightened suicide risks, while showcasing the potential of medicinal cannabis to alleviate PTSD, TBI, and related mental health conditions. By modulating the ECS, medicinal cannabis helps regulate mood, reduce stress, and improve emotional well-being—key factors in lowering suicide risk.

The Royal Commission emphasized the urgent need to explore medicinal cannabis as a life-saving alternative. With its strong safety profile and ability to address the underlying causes of mental health challenges, this treatment could significantly reduce veteran suicides when used under proper medical supervision.

It is time to dismantle outdated policies, prioritize veteran well-being, and embrace therapies proven to save lives. Sign the petition and support the approval of medicinal cannabis for our veterans—because saving lives cannot wait.