Wednesday, March 6, 2013

** Former US Navy medic from Colorado facing jail after using marijuana to treat PTSD

** Injured US Navy corpsman from Arizona participates in Dodgers spring training

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Jail could be in the offing for a former US Navy corpsman who uses marijuana to treat post traumatic stress disorder. That is the word from 7News (March 3) which said Greeley, Colorado resident Jeremy Usher’s use of the drug violates his probation for three previous DUIs. According to the newspaper, Usher, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan in 2003, medicates with marijuana to combat sleeplessness, panic attacks, flashbacks, anxiety and depression. He also suffered brain damage while serving in the military. Prescribed a synthetic THC drug–Marinol–after serving jail time for his drunk driving convictions, he was also given a therapy dog. Usher said Marinol is, however, too expensive for him. He also said jail time would increase his anxiety because of his separation from his dog. A decision on his situation is expected shortly.

** A former US Navy corpsman from Arizona, who lost his leg while fighting in Iraq, has tried out for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Associated Press (February 28) said Daniel “Doc” Jacobs took part in spring training alongside 80 others. Jacobs who served in the Middle East in 2006, was injured when an improvised explosive device blew. Along with his amputated leg, he also suffered wounds to his hand and foot. Recuperation involved 50 surgeries.