The Austin Chronic: Doc Unprescribed Explores How Cannabis Is Helping People Who’ve Experienced War Trauma

Ahead of Veterans Day, Austin medical marijuana dispensary goodblend is inviting past and present members of the armed forces to a Nov. 9 screening of Unprescribed, a documentary showing how military personnel are using cannabis to deal with mental and physical trauma and get off opiates to regain their lives.

Thursday’s free screening, 5:30-8pm at the Bob Bullock’s Texas Spirit Theater, is part of goodblend’s Veteran Impact Program.

I watched Unprescribed this week on Prime Video and found it painting a powerful picture that’s equally harrowing, hopeful, frustrating, and inspiring. You see footage of war and the resulting injuries that will shake you. You also see people return from being fogged-out pillheads to productive members of their families and communities. You see people who’ve emerged from a suicidal state and want to live.

Unprescribed director Steve Ellmore has lived that experience. An Air Force veteran, he attempted suicide while on active duty.

“When I heard that veterans were using cannabis for [post-traumatic stress disorder], I made it my mission to investigate it,” he says. “I had smoked prior to the military, but after I joined we were preached that it was an evil drug and a career killer and no good can come from it – only to find out we’ve been lied to the whole time. It’s been a life-changer for me.”

Ellmore maintains a “plants over pills” philosophy.

“My goal is that the VA [Veterans Affairs] can do what is already being done in Canada and prescribe cannabis to our veterans for trauma. One part of that is getting marijuana federally legalized so we don’t lose benefits and we can work jobs that people on opioids can work … Why can’t we do it on cannabis, which is much safer?”

Ellmore sees a tragic cycle of pharmaceutical dependence, where returning servicepeople are overprescribed opiates, benzos, and SSRIs [antidepressants] when naturally occurring cannabis is widely considered to be a safer and more effective option.

“Especially with the IEDs [roadside bombs] in Afghanistan and Iraq, veterans coming back with multiple injuries and thus getting treated with multiple drugs,” he explains. “So they’re dealing with PTSD and anxiety and trauma mentally on top of a traumatic brain injury on top of a dismemberment or any other number of wounds. They’re given multiple drugs to treat multiple injuries and all the side effects of those drugs are causing them to be prescribed other drugs, and it’s turning them into zombies and leading many to want to commit suicide.”

Ellmore’s nonprofit, the Unprescribed, seeks to dispel deeply ingrained notions among armed forces members that marijuana is dangerous or bad for society.

“That’s the central focus of my advocacy, because there’s so much misinformation out there,” he says. “It’s getting better and the American public is a lot more accepting of it, but the people we’re not getting through to are the lawmakers and leaders who are still demonizing it. The more of us that speak up about it, the less the lawmakers can ignore it.”

Terrence Baugh, goodblend’s community relations manager, says Thursday’s event is designed for veterans to find fellowship with people going through similar challenges. The screening is preceded by a mixer and followed by an expert Q&A.

“We want to curate these spaces where people can talk about what products work for them and how they’re dealing with different things,” Baugh says. “This is an opportunity to connect with others who are dealing with the same issues.”

---

Unprescribed VIP Screening, Thu., Oct. 9, 5:30pm, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress. RSVP at tx.goodblend.com/event/unprescribed.