GOP Leaders’ Move To Block Medical Marijuana Access For Veterans...

A Democratic senator says GOP leadership’s decision to omit from a key
spending bill a provision that would have increased military veterans’
access to medical marijuana in legal states is “just plain cruel.”

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) filed an amendment to let U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) issue medical cannabis recommendations to their
patients this week, but it was not allowed a to receive a vote on the
Senate floor.

As such, the appropriations legislation that Congress passed—and President
Donald Trump signed on Wednesday—did not contain language on the issue.
That’s despite the fact that similar provisions were already approved in
different forms by both the House and Senate as part of spending bills
earlier this year.

“Veterans deserve the same access to the full range of medical advice and
options that other folks have—including medical cannabis in states where
it’s legal,” Merkley told Marijuana Moment. “Rather than deliver on our
nation’s promise to do all we can to support service members, Senate
Republicans have once again stripped out my provision that would allow
veterans nationwide to discuss this treatment option with their doctor,
like any other patient.”

“That’s just plain cruel, and I’ll keep fighting for the millions of
Americans who have bravely served our nation,” the senator said.

After the bill text was released without the veterans and cannabis
provisions, advocates took note that it came just days before Veterans Day.

“The absence of this provision is incredibly disappointing, and makes no
sense whatsoever,” Morgan Fox, political director of NORML, told Marijuana
Moment at the time. “It is uncontroversial, revenue-neutral, previously
approved by both chambers, and long overdue in order to help veterans find
relief.”

*The original Senate-passed language, which was also offered as an
amendment this week by Merkley, reads:*

“None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the
Department of Veterans Affairs in this Act may be used in a manner that
would—

(1) interfere with the ability of a veteran to participate in a medicinal
marijuana program approved by a State;

(2) deny any services from the Department to a veteran who is participating
in such a program; or

(3) limit or interfere with the ability of a health care provider of the
Department to make appropriate recommendations, fill out forms, or take
steps to comply with such a program.”

In past years, both the House and Senate had included provisions in their
respective MilConVA measures that would permit VA doctors to make the
medical cannabis recommendations, but they have never been enacted into law.


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On the House side, Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL) and Dave Joyce (R-OH)—who are
both co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus—sponsored the cannabis
amendment, which would increase veterans’ access to state medical marijuana
programs and eliminate a current VA directive barring the department’s
doctors from issuing cannabis recommendations.

Mast in February filed the standalone Veterans Equal Access Act—marking one
of the latest attempt to enact the measure that’s enjoyed bipartisan support over
recent sessions.

Mast’s office did not reply to Marijuana Moment’s request for comment this
week.

Meanwhile, the appropriations bill that Trump signed on Wednesday also
contains controversial provisions that would re-criminalize hemp products
with THC, which many stakeholders believe would effectively eliminate the
market.

*Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.*

The post GOP Leaders’ Move To Block Medical Marijuana Access For Veterans
Is ‘Just Plain Cruel,’ Senator Says appeared first on Marijuana Moment.