The Senate approved a bill on Tuesday that would allow doctors at the Veterans Administration (VA) to recommend the use of medical cannabis in states where it is legal. The bill was sponsored by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon).
Currently, the VA does not allow its doctors to approve or recommend the use of medical marijuana.
According to Michael Collins, deputy director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance:
“Veterans in medical marijuana states should be treated the same as any other resident, and should be able to discuss marijuana with their doctor. It makes no sense that a veteran can’t use medical marijuana if it helps them and it is legal in their state.”
The Senate bill will now be reconciled with the House’s version of the bill as part of an omnibus spending bill.
TJ Thompson, a disabled Navy veteran, said:
“On this eve of Veterans/Armistice Day where we remember those who served in the military and the treaty agreement to reach peace concluding WWI, we see this victory as a step toward a peace treaty with the government we volunteered to defend with our lives and as a step toward restoring our first amendment rights and dignity as citizens of the United States.
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Photo Credit: Jennifer Morrow