Posted on May 7, 2016
Senators move to give veterans access to medical marijuana
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The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday passed an amendment that would let Veterans Affairs doctors discuss and recommend marijuana as a potential medical treatment in states where it is legal.
An addition to the fiscal 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies appropriations bill, the bipartisan amendment sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, would let VA doctors discuss marijuana as a potential medical treatment, similar to the allowances given civilian physicians in medical marijuana states.
The move marks the second time senators have tried to improve access to medical marijuana for veterans who are treated at VA medical facilities and want to use marijuana for medical purposes.
The provision was approved by the full Senate last November in the fiscal 2016 VA appropriations bill but was stripped from the final law.
Under the amendment, VA would be prohibited from using funds to “interfere with the ability of veterans to participate in medicinal marijuana programs approved by states or deny services to such veterans.”
In January, 21 lawmakers wrote VA Secretary Bob McDonald urging him to allow doctors to discuss and recommend marijuana. The group, including 19 Democrats and two Republicans, wanted VA to abandon a policy that prohibits physicians from discussing the drug, which is still illegal under federal law.
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, and 17 states have laws allowing physicians to prescribe oils derived from marijuana plants.
Daines emphasized that the amendment would not change any laws preventing the possession or dispensing of marijuana on VA property.
It was adopted by the committee in a 20-10 vote.
The VA recommends that its physicians use "evidence-based" practices — therapies proved by scientific research to be effective — to treat mental and physical health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and pain.
There has been no research in the U.S. on the effectiveness of medical marijuana for relieving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or other conditions, although some veterans groups and marijuana legalization advocates say it does help relieve symptoms of combat-related PTSD and anxiety.
An addition to the fiscal 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies appropriations bill, the bipartisan amendment sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, would let VA doctors discuss marijuana as a potential medical treatment, similar to the allowances given civilian physicians in medical marijuana states.
The move marks the second time senators have tried to improve access to medical marijuana for veterans who are treated at VA medical facilities and want to use marijuana for medical purposes.
The provision was approved by the full Senate last November in the fiscal 2016 VA appropriations bill but was stripped from the final law.
Under the amendment, VA would be prohibited from using funds to “interfere with the ability of veterans to participate in medicinal marijuana programs approved by states or deny services to such veterans.”
In January, 21 lawmakers wrote VA Secretary Bob McDonald urging him to allow doctors to discuss and recommend marijuana. The group, including 19 Democrats and two Republicans, wanted VA to abandon a policy that prohibits physicians from discussing the drug, which is still illegal under federal law.
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, and 17 states have laws allowing physicians to prescribe oils derived from marijuana plants.
Daines emphasized that the amendment would not change any laws preventing the possession or dispensing of marijuana on VA property.
It was adopted by the committee in a 20-10 vote.
The VA recommends that its physicians use "evidence-based" practices — therapies proved by scientific research to be effective — to treat mental and physical health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and pain.
There has been no research in the U.S. on the effectiveness of medical marijuana for relieving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or other conditions, although some veterans groups and marijuana legalization advocates say it does help relieve symptoms of combat-related PTSD and anxiety.
Senators move to give veterans access to medical marijuana
Posted from navytimes.comPosted in these groups: 
United States Senate
Marijuana
United States Senate Marijuana
Posted >1 y ago
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
This is great, but why stop there? I say federally legalize it for recreational use, regulate it the same we do tobacco and alcohol, and tax the living sh*t out of it.
My own VA doctor may or may not have said to me "If it were legal and I was allowed to, I would write you a prescription for medical marijuana."
My state DOES have medical MJ, so I COULD get a scrip for it. But I would be at risk of losing my job since I work for a government contractor. I could ALSO lose my VA benefits if they ever drug tested me.
This is great, but why stop there? I say federally legalize it for recreational use, regulate it the same we do tobacco and alcohol, and tax the living sh*t out of it.
My own VA doctor may or may not have said to me "If it were legal and I was allowed to, I would write you a prescription for medical marijuana."
My state DOES have medical MJ, so I COULD get a scrip for it. But I would be at risk of losing my job since I work for a government contractor. I could ALSO lose my VA benefits if they ever drug tested me.
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If it Mary Jane helps, why not? My almost son-in-law was not impressed after attempting to relieve his pain w/ marijuana!
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Thanks for letting us know SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL that the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday passed an amendment that would let Veterans Affairs doctors discuss and recommend marijuana as a potential medical treatment in states where it is legal.
To be honest I don't think this is a great idea since many VAMC's treat people from a different number of states. This would mean the doctors would be recommending treatment based on where you live versus what may be best fro you.
To be honest I don't think this is a great idea since many VAMC's treat people from a different number of states. This would mean the doctors would be recommending treatment based on where you live versus what may be best fro you.
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