GOP-Controlled House Committee Blocks All Cannabis & Psychedelics Amendments To Defense Bill: Now, No Floor Vote

Not a single drug policy amendment proposed by a group of bipartisan lawmakers as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed on Thursday, reported Marijuana Moment. Republican leadership in the House Rules Committee declined to enable any of them to advance to a floor vote.

The measures included requiring the defense secretary to carry out a clinical study into the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for active duty service members with PTSD, traumatic brain injury or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, protecting federal workers from losing security clearances for marijuana and creating a defense department medical cannabis pilot program for veterans and service members who are VA beneficiaries, among others.

Disappointment Among Lawmakers

The move was met with disappointment by the lawmakers who proposed the amendments, as well as advocates for drug policy reform.

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), Democratic co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus who sponsored the amendment on medical marijuana recommendations for veterans who live in legal weed states released a joint statement.

“From ensuring our veterans have equal access to state-legal medical marijuana programs to preventing past cannabis use from disqualifying applicants to enlist in the military, our amendments gave the opportunity for Congress to come together across party lines and make progress for communities impacted by the failed war on drugs,” they said.

“At a time when we are facing serious recruitment and retention challenges, it is a travesty that the Republican majority refuses to address the military’s archaic drug policies, which drive qualified people out of the armed services or prevent them from enlisting in the first place,” they stated, adding that healthcare for enlisted servicemembers and veterans will suffer. “Our armed services, veterans, and the American people deserve better.” 

Oldsters In Congress

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who recently sponsored an amendment on ending cannabis testing for military recruits, told Marijuana Moment on Thursday that he’s “disappointed that these amendments have not been approved for a vote.” He repeated recent comments about the impediment of gerontocracy.

“A consequence of living in the gerontocracy of Congress is a boomerfied view of drug policy,” Gaetz said.

Read more HERE at Marijuana Moment, including all the cannabis and psychedelics amendments the committee blocked.

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