DVA MPs Matt Keogh & Matt Thistlethwaite with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
#No More Zombie Veterans response to the DVA still refusing to fund medicinal cannabis for veterans with PTSD.
14th February 2025
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has once again reiterated that medicinal cannabis will not be subsidised for mental health conditions until there is "sufficient clinical evidence." This stance is not only frustrating but exposes a deep flaw in Australia’s medical and regulatory system—one that prioritises bureaucratic inertia over patient outcomes, ignores real-world evidence, and fails to acknowledge that PTSD treatment must be holistic, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Catch-22 of "Clinical Evidence"
The DVA insists that the lack of published evidence and the "risk of harm" justify their refusal to subsidise medicinal cannabis for veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health conditions. Yet, at the same time, they refuse to fund the very research that could provide this evidence. This is a classic Catch-22:
They demand clinical trials before funding treatment.
But without funding, those trials remain limited.
Meanwhile, thousands of veterans suffer needlessly, forced onto ineffective and often dangerous pharmaceutical alternatives.
PTSD Treatment Requires a Holistic Approach
PTSD is a complex condition that cannot be effectively treated with a single approach. Decades of research show that combining multiple therapies—such as psychotherapy, physical activity, nutritional support, breathwork, mindfulness, and medicinal cannabis—produces better outcomes than relying on a single pharmaceutical intervention.
SSRIs alone are not enough. They work for less than half of PTSD sufferers and often come with severe side effects.
Benzodiazepines can be dangerous. They are highly addictive and linked to increased suicide risk in veterans.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective but works best when supported by adjunct treatments.
Medicinal cannabis offers a complementary tool, particularly for regulating sleep, reducing hyperarousal, and managing chronic pain—three key issues in PTSD. Yet, the DVA continues to ignore this holistic approach in favour of outdated psychiatric dogma.
The Urgent Need for Education on the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
One of the biggest failings of the Australian medical system is the lack of education on the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)—the biological system responsible for regulating pain, mood, sleep, immune response, and inflammation.
Medical schools do not teach doctors about the ECS.
Doctors remain uninformed about how cannabinoids interact with the body.
As a result, many healthcare professionals hesitate to prescribe medicinal cannabis, despite its proven safety and efficacy.
The ECS plays a fundamental role in maintaining biological balance. Without education on this crucial system, doctors are unable to:
Understand how cannabinoids work medicinally.
Differentiate between cannabis as a recreational drug versus a therapeutic compound.
Guide patients on dosage, delivery methods, and interactions with other medications.
This systemic ignorance is unacceptable—particularly when veterans' lives are at stake. Until medical education integrates ECS science, Australian doctors will continue to lack the knowledge needed to provide effective PTSD treatment options.
Real-World Evidence vs. Outdated Policy
The DVA dismisses the growing body of real-world evidence, including research by Dr. James Stewart, which highlights significant improvements for veterans using medicinal cannabis. These individuals report:
Reduced PTSD symptoms
Improved sleep
Lower anxiety and hypervigilance
Reduced reliance on SSRIs, benzodiazepines, and opioids
Minimal side effects compared to traditional medications
But instead of recognising real-world outcomes, the DVA hides behind outdated psychiatric guidelines. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists remains one of the most conservative medical bodies on this issue, despite international research showing that medicinal cannabis can be a safe and effective treatment for PTSD.
A Hypocritical Approach to Funding
The DVA already funds medicinal cannabis for conditions such as chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and spasticity from neurological conditions. Yet, they refuse to acknowledge that mental health is just as serious as physical health.
This double standard is glaring. Veterans suffering from PTSD are prescribed:
SSRIs, which have a failure rate of up to fifty percent for PTSD and come with severe withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines, which are highly addictive and contribute to Australia’s veteran suicide crisis.
Antipsychotics, despite their heavy sedative effects and long-term cognitive risks.
But medicinal cannabis—despite showing better safety profiles and effectiveness in many cases—is denied. This is because it does not fit neatly into Australia’s rigid pharmaceutical model.
The DVA's Outdated View of "Risk"
The DVA insists that "current evidence suggests a risk of harm" when using medicinal cannabis for PTSD. This ignores:
The dose-dependent nature of THC. Risk can be mitigated by using CBD-dominant formulations and balanced cannabinoid ratios.
The comparative risks of approved treatments, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and antipsychotics, which carry far greater dangers of addiction, overdose, and long-term damage.
The fact that legal cannabis markets such as Canada and the United States do not show significant increases in PTSD-related harm.
If the DVA were genuinely concerned about risk, they would acknowledge that existing medications are failing veterans at an alarming rate.
A Broken System: Bureaucracy Over Patient Care
This is not just about cannabis—it is about a broken system. Australia’s approach to medicinal cannabis remains stuck in outdated regulatory thinking, where:
Plant-based medicines are ignored in favour of patented pharmaceuticals.
Research is only deemed valid when it supports the pharmaceutical model.
Veterans are treated as statistics rather than individuals with real, lived experiences.
The scientific community is moving forward, but Australian policymakers remain paralysed by caution, afraid to step outside the rigid confines of pharmaceutical industry influence.
The Path Forward
It is time for the DVA to stop delaying progress under the excuse of "insufficient evidence" and take real action to support veterans. This means:
Funding large-scale clinical trials on medicinal cannabis for PTSD. If "clinical evidence" is the issue, let’s generate it.
Updating medical guidelines to reflect real-world outcomes. Relying solely on outdated psychiatric positions harms veterans.
Recognising that PTSD treatment must be holistic. Medicinal cannabis should be one of many tools available, alongside therapy, exercise, nutrition, and peer support.
Educating doctors on the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Without knowledge of the ECS, most Australian doctors will remain ill-equipped to prescribe cannabis safely and effectively.
Reforming the entire regulatory framework to recognise medicinal cannabis as a legitimate treatment option—not just a last resort.
Conclusion: Veterans Deserve Better
The status quo is failing veterans. The DVA’s refusal to fund medicinal cannabis for PTSD is not about science—it is about bureaucracy, stigma, and an outdated medical system that prioritises pharmaceutical interests over patient care.
PTSD is a complex condition that demands a holistic, multi-faceted approach. Medicinal cannabis is not a silver bullet, but it deserves to be part of the solution.
The evidence is already here. The demand is undeniable. It is time for the DVA to stop making excuses and start making progress.