Senate Appropriations Committee Approves VA Doctors’ Cannabis Recommendation Amendment

LOS ANGELES- The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed a measure allowing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to discuss and recommend medical cannabis to patients residing in states where it is legal. This amendment, known as the Equal Access Amendment, was introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and approved through a voice vote on Thursday.

Senator Merkley highlighted the disparity in the veterans’ healthcare system, stating, “The only healthcare system in America where a doctor cannot discuss medical cannabis with patients in states where it’s legal is the veterans’ system. We’re discriminating against our veterans. This is really unacceptable.”

The Senate has approved this amendment annually since 2015. Merkley emphasized that veterans should have access to the same medical advice as other citizens and encouraged broad support for the measure.

Despite the repeated approval of the Veterans Equal Access Act in committees and on the floor in recent years, the amendment has yet to be enacted into law. Previous attempts to advance related legislation, such as a bill to study the therapeutic potential of cannabis for veterans, have also stalled in the full chamber.

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives approved similar amendments to a spending bill, which would authorize VA doctors to issue medical cannabis recommendations to veterans and support research on psychedelics.

In 2023, Merkley reiterated the need for veterans to access comprehensive healthcare, stating, “Veterans face too many roadblocks in getting the care they need and deserve. Outdated laws should never censor veterans’ doctor-patient relationships.”

The approved amendment ensures that VA doctors can make appropriate recommendations and take necessary steps to comply with state-approved medicinal cannabis programs, without facing federal interference.

For more details, visit the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.