Lawmakers say no to medical marijuana for veterans
September 09, 2017
House Republicans have blocked a key amendment to legislation concerning medical marijuana use for veterans. The measure would have enabled patients to receive marijuana for pain relief through Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors in states where its use has been legalized for medical purposes.
Federal law currently bars VA doctors from recommending or even discussing medical marijuana as a treatment option to patients. This holds true even if they reside in Washington, D.C. or any of the 29 states in which marijuana is legal.
Although the House bill was rejected, medical marijuana could still be a possibility for veterans. A Senate committee recently approved a similar proposal that would permit VA doctors to give their patients access to medical marijuana in states that have legalized it.
Marijuana’s current classification means that it is regarded as a dangerous drug with “no accepted medical use.” The classification has limited scientific research into its potential benefits to veterans for pain management and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other conditions.
The American Legion, the largest veterans group in the country, has called for medical marijuana’s reclassification. Advocates argue that the drug could potentially counteract growing incidences of opioid abuse. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, states that have legalized medical marijuana have 16 percent fewer deaths from opioid overdoses than those that have not.
The federal government has taken a strict stance on the drug. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has repeatedly stated his belief that marijuana has zero medicinal value. However, VA Secretary David Shulkin has acknowledged evidence of marijuana’s effectiveness in helping treat veterans. He said the VA would be open to examining its potential medical benefits.