Politics
Watch Live: Congress Considers Medical Marijuana For Military Veterans
A congressional committee will take testimony about three bills concerning military veterans’ access to medical marijuana on Tuesday.
Legislation being heard by the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health would allow Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend medical cannabis, require the VA to study the medical potential of marijuana and shield veterans from being stripped of their VA benefits for cannabis use in accordance with state laws.
Watch live as members of Congress discuss medical cannabis for military veterans:
The Veterans Equal Access Act, sponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), would allow VA doctors to issue recommendations for medical marijuana to veterans living in a state where it is legal.
The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act, filed by Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA)would require the VA to conduct clinical trials on the potential benefits of cannabis for veterans suffering from conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.
The Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act, introduced by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) would codify into federal law an existing VA administrative policy that protects veterans from losing their benefits due to cannabis use in legal states.
The committee is also set to consider several other non-marijuana bills related to veterans’ health during the hearing on Tuesday.
The proceedings mark the second hearing on cannabis of the 116th Congress. The House Financial Services Committee has already approved legislation to increase marijuana businesses’ access to banks, with a floor vote expected in the coming weeks.
Military Veterans Organizations Press Congress On Medical Marijuana Research
