Top Veterans Group Warns Congress That Hemp Ban Could ‘Slam The Door Shut’ On Medical Research

A leading veterans organization is warning congressional leaders that a
newly approved blanket ban on consumable hemp products could inadvertently
“slam the door shut” on critical research

In a letter sent to House and Senate leaders on Wednesday, Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) executives stressed the importance
of “supporting solid scientific research into hemp-derived cannabinoids,”
which they said could be jeopardized by provisions of a spending bill
President Donald Trump has signed into law.

Hemp-based cannabinoid products “could offer a real alternative to the
heavy prescription drugs so many of our veterans are given for PTSD,
anxiety, pain, and sleep problems,” VFW’s Carol Whitmore and Dan West wrote.

“Every day, doctors hand out strong sedatives and psychoactive meds to help
veterans cope. They work for some, but too many end up hooked, numb, or
dealing with brutal side effects,” they wrote. “We’ve all watched good men
and women get trapped in a cycle of pills that dull the pain but don’t fix
the problem.”

“It’s time to look harder at safer options. Early research on certain hemp
compounds shows promise for managing symptoms and reducing physical pain
without the same addiction risks,” the letter says, citing recent studies
indicating the hemp-derived cannabinoids improves symptoms of PTSD and may
be an effective treatment alternative for pain and anxiety.

“This isn’t proof of a miracle cure—just clear signs we should keep
studying. But sweeping moves to ‘close the hemp loophole’ could slam that
door shut. A blanket ban on hemp cannabinoids would make it nearly
impossible for researchers and [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]
hospitals to study these compounds legally. It would also hurt
veteran-owned small businesses already playing by the rules. Critically, it
would drive veterans looking for relief straight to black-market
junk—making things riskier, not safer.”

VFW said it isn’t promoting a “wild, unregulated products or recreational
use,” but rather they’re “asking for smart policy: protect the public, but
don’t kill the research.”

“Let science do its job, regulate what’s proven safe, and give veterans
every legitimate tool available to get their lives back,” the letter
concludes. “Our veterans have earned the best care we can give them. We
urge Congress to take a balanced approach—one that protects consumers,
promotes research, and gives veterans hope for safer alternatives.”

Last month, VFW announced it entered a first-of-its-kind partnership with
hemp THC beverage company Torch Drinks, with a licensing branding deal
aimed at supporting a variety of veterans services and promote cannabis
drinks as a potential alcohol alternative. In addition to the branding
licensing agreement, the cannabis drinks are set to be made available at
VFW posts across the country in jurisdictions where they are locally legal.

The debate over the hemp ban contained in the now-enacted appropriations
legislation has seen divides between some who feel re-criminalizing the
cannabis products will mitigate public health concerns, particularly as it
concerns youth access in unregulated markets, and other who have insisted
the Congress should address the challenges by establishing regulations,
including age-gating and testing requirements.

While many hemp stakeholders say the ban would effectively eradicate the
industry–even applying to nonintoxicating CBD products that people use for
medical reasons—there’s latent hope that they can strike a compromise deal
with lawmakers before the prohibition is implemented this time next year.

Lawmakers such as Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) also say that window could
provide an opportunity to advance legislation to create an alternative
regulatory model for consumable hemp products.

There were attempts by GOP lawmakers in both chambers to strike the hemp
prohibition provision. But the proposed amendments from Sen. Rand Paul
(R-KY) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) did not make it into the final package.

On the Senate side, Paul was joined by 22 Democrats—and, notably, anti-marijuana
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)—in voting against a motion to table the amendment to
prevent the ban, but the majority ultimately quashed it.

Massie tried to revive the push in the House with his own amendment
mirroring Paul’s, but the prospects of its adoption were dubious at best,
as there was generally consensus within the Republican caucus that the
spending bill should advance without further modifications that could have
sent it back to the Senate.


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Since 2018, cannabis products have been considered legal hemp if they
contain less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis.

The new legislation specifies that, within one year of enactment, the
weight will apply to total THC—including delta-8 and other isomers. It will
also include “any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are
marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals as a
tetrahydrocannabinol (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human
Services).”

The new definition of legal hemp will additionally ban “any intermediate
hemp-derived cannabinoid products which are marketed or sold as a final
product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use” as
well as products containing cannabinoids that are synthesized or
manufactured outside of the cannabis plant or not capable of being
naturally produced by it.

Legal hemp products will be limited to a total of 0.4 milligrams per
container of total THC or any other cannabinoids with similar effects.

Within 90 days of the bill’s enactment, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and other agencies will need to publish list of “all cannabinoids
known to FDA to be capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa
L. plant, as reflected in peer reviewed literature,” “all
tetrahydrocannabinol class cannabinoids known to the agency to be naturally
occurring in the plant” and “all other known cannabinoids with similar
effects to, or marketed to have similar effects to, tetrahyrocannabinol
class cannabinoids.”

The language slightly differs from provisions included in legislation that
had previously advanced out of the House and Senate Appropriations panels,
which would have banned products containing any “quantifiable” amount of
THC, to be determined by the HHS secretary and secretary of agriculture.

Meanwhile, advocates are sharply criticizing congressional leaders for
advancing the spending bill ahead of Veterans Day on Tuesday that also
omits bipartisan provisions allowing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) doctors to recommend medical cannabis to patients in states where it’s
legal—even though the policy was approved by the full Senate and House
earlier this year.

*Read VFW’s letter to Congress on the hemp ban below: *

*Photo courtesy of Brendan Cleak.*

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Door Shut’ On Medical Research appeared first on Marijuana Moment.