Join us for an important community conversation on veteran health and wellbeing in Melbourne’s South-East.
Many local veterans have reached out about recent changes by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) affecting access to medicinal cannabis. This event is an opportunity to come together, share experiences, and ensure veterans’ voices are heard.
Hosted by your local MP, Rachel Payne, this one-hour fireside chat will feature a panel of veterans and health professionals discussing the real impacts of these changes, as well as broader challenges facing the veteran community.
Why this matters
Military service brings with it great risk – both during times of conflict and, when members return home. There are many veterans in the South-East and we hear of their struggles with both physical and mental health. Some of these veterans are medicinal cannabis patients.
Medicinal cannabis (cannabis prescribed by a doctor) was made legal in Australia in 2016. It is not a medication for everyone, but many people with treatment-resistant PTSD, pain and insomnia find immense relief from it. Recent changes at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) are making medicinal cannabis much harder to access.
Our goal
We want to hear directly from veterans, understand their experiences, and stand alongside them in advocating for fair and compassionate access to care.
All veterans are welcome whether they are medicinal cannabis patients or not.