Senate Passes Bill for Cannabis Recommendations to Veterans
- The Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, a bipartisan congressional bill, has been approved by the Senate. The bill allows military veterans to receive medical cannabis recommendations from government doctors if cannabis is legal in their state. Previously, VA doctors were not authorized to issue such recommendations.
- The bill also includes support for critical housing, infrastructure, and facilities for U.S. military forces and their families, as well as increased funding for veterans health care and benefits. It was passed with a bipartisan vote of 28-0.
- The legislation was reintroduced by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley in April. Both senators have spoken out about the unfair legal grey area veterans were previously in when discussing medical cannabis with their doctors, and have vowed to get this bill over the finish line to help veterans get the care they deserve.
Senate Approves FY24 MilCon-VA Appropriations Act Allowing Medical Cannabis Recommendations for Veterans
The congressional bipartisan bill, the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act, has gained Senate approval. This significant development will permit military veterans to obtain medical cannabis recommendations from government doctors.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors can now endorse medical cannabis usage to patients in states where it’s legalized. This improvement supports indispensable housing, infrastructure, and facilities for U.S. military forces and their families while increasing funding for veterans’ health care and benefits.
With a unanimous bipartisan vote of 28-0, the bill advanced. As Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, remarks, “The substantial investments this legislation directs to America’s military are vital to our national security, enhancing our military’s readiness and safety while cutting maintenance costs.
Previously, VA doctors could not recommend medical cannabis, even in states where it’s legal for medical or recreational use. Supporters of the bill deem it as a small yet significant reform for the veteran community.
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley reestablished the legislation in April. According to U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, these bills secure our promise to our nation’s veterans, solve the homelessness crisis, support our farmers and ranchers, and keep American families healthy and safe, despite the challenging funding constraints.
Wyden, at the legislation’s reintroduction, stated: “Veterans deserve the opportunity to discuss medical cannabis with their doctor without fear of legal or employment consequences.” Merkley added: “Outdated laws should not prevent VA doctors from prescribing the best treatment for veterans. Our veterans have sacrificed too much to be met with roadblocks to the care they need.”
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