Letter: Veteran disappointed by government

I am a Vietnam veteran and I am disappointed in our state government for denying medical cannabis to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and thus turning its backs on the 22 veterans that commit suicide daily. This is not a smokable cannabis, it is an oil.

I have been watching the medical cannabis fight in Iowa since 2010 when the Iowa Pharmacy Board recommended that cannabis be rescheduled as having medical use.

Twenty-three states have a full medical cannabis programs. Four states have legalized cannabis. The government has a patent on it. A majority of Iowans (81 percent) are in favor of medical cannabis. A New Mexico study showed a 75 percent reduction in PTSD symptoms. What most people don't realize is most combat veterans are very isolated. We have lost more veterans of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars to suicide than in combat. That is a national disgrace. We are not looking to get high, we are looking for safe alternatives to the dangerous drugs handed out like candy by the VA and that are killing our veterans.

It has become so politically popular to give lip service to the veterans, thanking us for our service and waving the flag. The vets fall by the wayside. When will these politicians stand up and fight for the vets like we fought for our country?

Jon Custis

Anamosa