Congress Drops Plan to Allow VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Cannabis

Congress just dropped a major buzzkill for our veterans right before Veterans Day. Despite both the House and Senate previously giving the green light to let VA doctors finally recommend medical cannabis, the final version of a new federal spending bill completely ghosted the provision. This means veterans in legal states are still stuck in a loop where their primary doctors can't officially help them access a plant that many use to ditch heavy pharmaceuticals for pain and PTSD. To make matters worse, there’s also talk of a new ban on hemp-derived THC products gaining steam.

This is a massive disappointment for the community because it reinforces outdated barriers for those who served. For everyday tokers, this matters because it shows how easily bipartisan progress can be derailed by backroom negotiations. True accessibility means everyone—especially our veterans—should have the right to discuss natural alternatives with their doctors without federal interference. It’s a reminder that while the culture is winning, the legislative fight for fair access is far from over.