House of Representatives approves spending bill amending veterans’ medical cannabis treatments

On July 26, the US House of Representatives approved the changes and added a substantial spending bill. Among those changes was an addition that would allow US Department of Veterans Affairs physicians to recommend medicinal cannabis to veterans and allow research to be conducted on other psychedelic substances with medicinal uses.

The change was one of many proposals for inclusion in the proposed 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Budget, also known as HR-4366, which “…prevents the VA.” [Veterans Affairs] from interfering with a veteran’s ability to participate in a legal state medical cannabis program, refusing to provide care to such veteran, or limiting the ability of healthcare providers to make appropriate recommendations about this treatment option for veterans.” The action was authorized by Rep. Brian Mast, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Rep. Dave Joyce and Rep. Barbara Lee introduced.

According to Mast, the measure is a necessity for military veterans. “I’m advocating a bipartisan amendment and it’s about doing something simple: give veterans access to all sorts of tools when it comes to the wounds of war, which I’m inherently familiar with,” Mast said. “The change is very simple. It allows VA physicians in states with legal medical cannabis programs to discuss cannabis as a treatment option with their patients.” He explained that he has personal friends, from Rangers to Green Berets, who have found relief from both their mental and physical needs through the use of medical cannabis also experienced physical wounds.

Blumenauer also stated that it is the responsibility of Congress to pass legislation allowing veterans to use medicinal cannabis. “These veterans have also expressed their fear of what would happen if they worked with VA doctors to include their cannabis use in their treatment plans. “The VA denies veterans access to this care option by preventing providers from filling out forms under state medical marijuana programs,” Blumenauer said. “This is a shameful disservice to the men and women who are putting their lives on the line. The VA forces veterans to seek treatment outside of the VA or to self-medicate. Our veterans are paying the price for Congressional inaction.”

Joyce also supported the amendment, adding that he “… is proud to join my colleagues in leading this sensible initiative to improve access to medical treatment for our nation’s veterans.” seen the many challenges our country’s heroes face when they return home,” Joyce said. “We should all be committed to helping expand access to treatments for the medical challenges, both mental and physical, that our nation’s veterans face.”

Reps Debbie Wasserman Schultz and John Carter protested, claiming that VA physicians could be legally at risk for recommending medicinal cannabis.

The House of Representatives also recently passed an amendment tabled by Representatives Lou Correa and Jack Bergman that would allow research into other psychedelic substances to be conducted. “If psychedelic-assisted therapy can treat a veteran’s post-traumatic stress disorder or prevent them from taking their own life, then we owe it to them to take an active role in research into these potentially life-saving therapies,” Bergman said. “This change will unlock potential treatments that have been shown to actually cure PTSD – something current medicine and modern psychology cannot – and give our veterans the chance to live the long, happy lives we all take for granted.” “

Correa added that it’s time to “take care of business” and ensure the VA researches psychedelics and uses that knowledge to develop a program for veterans. “Veterans fought for our freedom. It’s time we move on and fulfill our moral obligation to take care of them, too,” Correa said.

A study released in April by the University of North Texas and the University of Illinois found that one in ten US veterans, or about 16,000 veterans, has used cannabis in the past year. Another study by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America found that 83% of the organization’s veterans supported legal access to medical cannabis and 55% supported legalization of recreational use.