Bipartisan Bills Aim to Expand Veterans' Access to Medical Marijuana

A pair of bipartisan lawmakers ― former Marine Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) ― have introduced a trio of bills that would reform policies at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand veterans’ access to medical marijuana. Here’s a look at each:

H.R. 7130 would clarify and codify an existing official VA policy on medical marijuana use that protects a veteran’s benefits if they discuss medical marijuana use with their healthcare provider. This policy is currently not widely known or universally followed.

It would also establish a policy that states its VA policy to be supportive of medical marijuana use for veterans, and not penalize veterans who are using cannabis as an alternative form of treatment.

H.R. 7129 would require the VA to develop partnerships with university medical schools that have incorporated medical cannabis education into their curricula in order to provide all VA primary care providers with medical cannabis training. The VA Secretary would also provide supplemental training as necessary.

H.R. 7128 would direct the VA to enter into an agreement with a federally-funded research and development center to conduct national surveys to measure veterans’ medicinal cannabis use. There would be two surveys: one surveying veterans who use cannabis, and another collecting information from healthcare providers at the VA.

Should Congress pass these bills in the lame duck session? Tell your reps and share your thoughts below!

— Eric Revell & Lorelei Yang

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