I’m Derek Pyrah.

After 17 years of failed psychiatric medications following Iraq, I finally found real relief with medicinal cannabis — only to be denied access by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and nearly jailed for trying to heal myself.

I started No More Zombie Veterans so no other veteran — and no other family — has to endure that same cycle of suffering, hopelessness and dead-end treatments.

Real change is beginning to happen in Australian mental health care.

But veterans are still being left behind.

This campaign calls for one practical fix:

Veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) should have access to the same safe, legally prescribed plant-based treatments — including medicinal cannabis through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) — that civilians already use every day.

Why this matters:

Australia has nearly 600,000 living veterans.

Evidence suggests more than 90,000 veterans may be living with treatment-resistant PTSD or persistent TBI symptoms, affecting hundreds of thousands of families.

Many veterans spend years cycling through complex psychiatric medication regimes. Evidence examined by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide shows that in treatment-resistant cases these approaches often fail and can worsen outcomes.

Meanwhile, civilians across Australia legally access doctor-prescribed medicinal cannabis.

But DVA policy still claims there is “insufficient evidence” for veterans’ mental health conditions, creating a clear gap in care.

At the same time, education and policy recognition of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) — a key biological system involved in regulating stress, mood, inflammation and recovery — remains largely absent from veteran health policy.

Greater awareness of ECS science and evidence-based treatments that support this system could help modernise care for veterans living with treatment-resistant trauma and brain injury.

Why this issue is urgent now:

In February 2026, DVA introduced stricter rules under its Medicinal Cannabis Framework, including specialist prescribing and mandatory in-person consultations.

Yet even with these safeguards, DVA still refuses to fund medicinal cannabis for PTSD or TBI.

For many veterans — especially in regional and rural communities — these barriers make access even harder.

Veterans are not asking for fewer safeguards.

We are asking for modern, evidence-based policy — including education about the endocannabinoid system — that allows veterans to recover.

Why your support matters:

Medicinal cannabis is already legal and prescribed across Australia.

This issue is not about changing the law — it’s about fixing an outdated policy.

When the community speaks up:

• MPs ask questions
• DVA must respond
• policies can change

One signature, one email, or one share can help open the door for thousands of veterans and their families.

The Power of $1:

This campaign is run by veterans and supported by the community.

The Power of $1 is how we sustain the push for change.

If 750 supporters contribute just $1 per month, it covers the basic costs of running the campaign — outreach, printing, events and research updates.

Small contributions add up to real momentum.

If you’re able, support here:

www.buymeacoffee.com/nomorezombieveterans

(Note: Change.org may ask for a contribution after signing to promote the petition. Those funds go to Change.org, not the campaign.)

How you can help:

• Sign this petition — adds your voice instantly

• Email your MP — 2-minute template:

www.saferveteransaustralia.org/take-action

• Share the campaign — text it to friends and veteran groups

• Join the Power of $1 — help sustain the push for reform

Reform is already happening.

Australia’s veterans deserve to be part of it.

Safer Veterans Australia / No More Zombie Veterans

www.saferveteransaustralia.org
www.change.org/nomorezombieveterans
www.buymeacoffee.com/nomorezombieveterans

No More Zombie Veterans is part of the Safer Veterans Australia initiative.

 Disclaimer: The Safer Veterans Australia & No More Zombie Veterans campaigns advocate for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) policy reform to recognize Endocannabinoid (ECS)-based treatments for veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD and TBI. The information provided on this website is for awareness purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. We do not endorse or promote the use of any specific substances unless prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional in accordance with applicable laws. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any decisions about your health or treatment options. The experiences shared on this site are personal accounts and may not reflect typical outcomes. Safer Veterans Australia / No More Zombie Veterans are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.