Veterans

U.S. Senators voted 86-5 on Monday in favor of legislation that establishes protections for veterans seeking state-legal medical cannabis therapies, according to a report by Marijuana Moment‘s Tom Angell. The measure was added to legislation funding large parts of the federal government, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, through the fiscal year 2019. Specifically, the provision protects […]

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Rules once again blocked two amendments crafted to fight the opioid crisis from being brought to the floor for a vote, Marijuana Moment‘s Tom Angell reports. The two amendments — one pushing the VA to research medical cannabis and one preventing the federal government from blocking access […]

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved on Thursday an amendment to SB 3024 that ensures access to medical marijuana cannot be denied to veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a press release. The amendment was introduced to the committee by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana), whose office makes clear it’s both a veterans and […]

The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee has unanimously voted to advance a measure to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to research medical cannabis, according to a Stars and Stripes report. The bi-partisan measure was introduced last month by the committee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Tim Walz, and Republican committee chairman Rep. Phil Roe, who is also […]

A bi-partisan bill has been introduced in the House to make clear that the Department of Veterans Affairs has the authority to study medical cannabis. The measure was introduced by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee ranking Democrat, Rep. Tim Walz, and Republican committee chairman Rep. Phil Roe. In a press release, Walz notes that “22 percent […]

Derek Cloutier is the president and co-founder of the New England Veterans Alliance, a non-profit organization that helps veterans reduce their dependency on pharmaceuticals and advocates on behalf of veterans for improved access to medical cannabis therapies. In the following interview, Derek joins our host TG Branfalt to talk about the experience of veterans in […]

According to a federal Veterans Health Administration directive – 1315 – dated Dec. 8, “VHA providers and/or pharmacists” are now allowed to discuss medical cannabis options with their patients but are still prohibited from authorizing medical cannabis use. “VHA providers and/or pharmacists should discuss with patients how their use of State-approved medical marijuana to treat […]

A poll conducted by the American Legion, a U.S. veteran’s organization, found that 92 percent of veteran households support research into medical cannabis therapies for mental and physical conditions. Moreover, another 83 percent of the 1,300 respondents supported federal legalization of medical cannabis, and 82 percent wanted medical cannabis as a legal treatment option. According to […]

Cody Stevenson is a serial entrepreneur with an emphasis in the digital space, and he is the current Director of Business Development for Ganjapreneur. Before coming to Ganjapreneur, Cody served in the U.S. Marine Corps, founded several media-based startups, and worked on digital marketing campaigns with many different Fortune 500 brands; he also built and […]

Delaware post-traumatic stress disorder patients now have easier access to the state’s medical cannabis program after Gov. John Carney signed the Bravery Bill into law last week, radio news station WDEL reports. The new law allows patients with PTSD to get medical cannabis certification from any properly licensed physician rather than only being able to […]

In less than two weeks advocates will bear down on the nation’s capital in an effort to lobby federal lawmakers on cannabis policy, as the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws hosts their annual lobby day and Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis head to the District for a forum focused on veteran access […]

According to a report from MassRoots, The House Rules Committee is blocking two cannabis-related budget amendments from floor consideration, ruling the amendments are not in order. The affected amendments include the Veterans Equal Access Amendment, which would allow military veterans to access state-approved medical cannabis programs, and the Industrial Hemp Water Rights Act, which would […]

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an amendment as part of the 2018 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that would allow Veterans Administration doctors to recommend cannabis to their patients in states where it is legal. The Veterans Equal Access Amendment reads: None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available […]

New York’s Republican-controlled Senate has approved a bill adding post-traumatic stress disorder to the state’s medical cannabis qualifying condition list, the NY Daily News reports. The measure, which passed 50-13, now moves to the desk of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Rick Azzopardi, spokesperson for the governor, indicated that Cuomo would review the legislation. The measure was […]

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has signed a bill granting individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder access to medical cannabis under the state program, according to a report from the ABC7. Colorado is the 21st state, along with Washington, D.C. and two U.S. territories, to allow medical cannabis treatments for PTSD. The state Board of Health had […]

Disabled American Veterans Wisconsin passed a resolution supporting medical cannabis access for Wisconsin veterans with service-connected disabilities, according to the Cannabadger’s Gary Storck. The resolution was drafted and presented by members of Wisconsin Veterans for Compassionate Care. Steven Acheson, one of the resolution’s authors, said the adoption was needed because “veterans are prescribed opiates at […]

Johns Hopkins University has dropped out of a study exploring whether cannabis can help relieve post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, according to a report from Reason.com. The study, funded by a $2.2 million grant to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, will still be conducted by […]

New Mexico’s Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a measure that would increase the amount of medical cannabis registered patients could possess and licensed producers could grow. The measure would also remove the THC limits for medical cannabis in the state, but some lawmakers are concerned that a section of the bill would permit military veterans […]

Jeff Staker has lived a life of purpose: 11 years as a Marine Corp sniper, a drill instructor, father of four and grandfather of five, and the 51-year-old now serves as a firefighter for the U.S. government in Indiana. He’s also a leading figure in the fight for medical cannabis access in his home state […]

The upswell of support for the Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis from four major veterans groups could be enough to force lawmakers to bring one of the bills languishing in the legislature to a vote, WFLI reports. Earlier this month, the Indiana American Legion sent a letter to the state legislature urging them to “remove […]

A U.S. Marines Veteran is emerging as a leading advocate for medical cannabis access in Indiana as lawmakers continue to drag their feet on the issue, according to an Indy Star report. Jeff Staker, who served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, said he founded Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis because “politicians listen […]

The Veterans for Cannabis Foundation has partnered with Medicinal Genomics and Courtagen Life Sciences to help develop brand and strain names that may be more palatable to potential government committees allowing cannabis data to, perhaps, get a fair review. Under the co-promotion agreement, Medicinal Genomics will provide StrainSEEK, a strain identification and registration service, to […]

Minnesota’s Department of Health has added post-traumatic stress disorder to the state’s medical cannabis qualifying list, the Associated Press reports. However, individuals suffering from the condition won’t be able to access the program until August. The agency also expanded the medical cannabis delivery options, allowing the sales of topical patches, creams and lotions. Smoking or […]

The American Legion’s Committee on Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation is calling on the DEA to “license privately-funded medical marijuana operations” and reschedule the drug in order to increase access for veterans. The resolution was affirmed during the 88th National Convention of the American Legion in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to the resolution, the committee believes that […]