Congress Unites, Push For Veteran Access To Medical Marijuana Gains Momentum

"I cannot tell you how many times I've heard veterans tell me that medical marijuana saved their life," Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) recently stated.

What Happened: As first reported by Marijuana Moment, Blumenauer's statement aligns with the sentiment of a bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers who are fervently pushing to introduce protections for military veterans utilizing medical marijuana in legal states.

The proposed measures, which also extend to doctors at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offering recommendations for such programs, find their place in two amendments to the Fiscal Year 2024 spending bill.

The two identical amendments, sponsored by different sets of lawmakers, aim to make strides in the realm of Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon/VA).

The first measure is backed by the co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, including Blumenauer, Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Dave Joyce (R-FL), and Barbara Lee (D-CA).

A second identical measure is championed by Reps. Greg Steube (R-FL), Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Dina Titus (D-NV).

Why It Matters: In essence, these amendments propose to add language to the base spending bill that would prohibit the VA from using any funds to “interfere with the ability of a veteran to participate in a medicinal marijuana program approved by a State."

Notably, the VA would also be prevented from using funds to deny services to veterans engaged in state medical cannabis programs or to limit the ability of a healthcare provider to make appropriate recommendations or to comply with such programs.

However, the introduction of these measures on the floor is contingent upon their approval by the House Rules Committee, a process with an uncertain outcome. Last week, the same panel blocked over a dozen cannabis and psychedelics amendments filed for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

See Also: Bipartisan Bill To Legalize Medical Cannabis For Military Veterans Reintroduced In Both Chambers Of Congress

Veterans Find Relief: Medical Marijuana Enhances Quality of Life

Recent research indicates that over 90 percent of U.S. military veterans using medical marijuana report an improved quality of life, often choosing cannabis over over-the-counter and prescription medications. 

While these endeavors suggest a growing recognition of the potential benefits of medical marijuana for veterans, a substantive change will rely on the approval and successful implementation of the proposed amendments and the receptivity of the GOP-controlled House. The ultimate goal, as Rep. Blumenauer highlights, is to ensure our veterans enjoy "equal access as their civilian counterparts to state-legal marijuana programs.”

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Read Next: Congress Tackles Medical Marijuana For Veterans: GOP-Led Bill Will Open Doors To Research

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