Senate Advances Bill Permitting VA Doctors to Recommend Cannabis to Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Senate has passed a bill that, among other directives, authorizes Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians to recommend cannabis to veterans for medical purposes. This legislation, part of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilConVA) appropriations bill, was approved by a vote of 82-15, signaling strong bipartisan support.

The House earlier passed a similar bill, but due to differing provisions in each, a reconciliation process is now necessary to unify the bills before they can be presented to President Joe Biden for potential enactment. This procedural step, while often a formality, has historically been a stumbling block where previous iterations aimed at liberalizing VA policies on cannabis have faltered.

Senator Jeff Merkley, who has been a leading figure in the veterans cannabis initiative, remarked to Marijuana Moment on the necessity of modernizing current laws. “Veterans face too many roadblocks in getting the care they need and deserve,” he stated. His advocacy reflects a growing consensus within Congress to reassess federal regulations regarding cannabis, particularly in the context of medical treatment for veterans.

The current movement in the Senate underscores a broader trend towards cannabis reform across both federal and state legislatures. Advocates for the bill argue that veterans should have the same access to comprehensive healthcare as the civilian population, which increasingly includes cannabis as a legal treatment option in many states.

As the bill transitions into the reconciliation phase, stakeholders and veterans’ groups are cautiously optimistic. If successful, this legislation will clear the way for VA doctors to discuss and recommend cannabis where it is legally available, offering a new avenue for relief to veterans who may benefit from such treatment.

The outcome of the reconciliation process is eagerly anticipated by both policymakers and veteran communities, with proponents urging swift action to remove what they consider outdated barriers to treatment. The nation now watches as Congress navigates the complexities of aligning federal policy with evolving public sentiment on cannabis use for medicinal purposes.