U.S. SENATE – Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ amendment that protects states’ 10th Amendment right and allows veterans’ to discuss with VA physicians the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal.
The amendment would allow for parity between VA and non-VA facilities in states like Montana, which have medical marijuana programs. It does not change current laws preventing the possession or dispensing of marijuana on VA property, but simply allows veterans to discuss all options that are legally available in their state with their VA doctor.
“Veterans should not be discriminated against when they seek care at the VA,” said Daines. “They deserve access to the treatment that best suits their medical needs, just like they would receive at a non-VA clinic.”
Background:
On July 13, 2017, Daines secured an amendment in the FY 2018 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that ensures veterans have equal access to all of the medical options available in their local community, to include medical marijuana in states where it is legal.
On June 26, 2016, Daines led ten members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in urging Congressional leadership to include a provision in the final funding bill sent to the president that protects veterans’ ability to discuss the use of medical marijuana with VA physicians in states where it is legal.
On April, 14, 2016, Daines secured an amendment in the FY 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that ensures veterans have equal access to all of the medical options available in their local community, to include medical marijuana in states where it is legal.
On January 27, 2016, Daines led a bipartisan group of 21 Senators and Representatives in sending a letter to VA Secretary Bob McDonald urging the VA to permit doctors to discuss and recommend marijuana as a treatment option in states where it’s legal.
On May 21 2015, Daines secured an amendment in the FY 2016 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that ensures veterans have equal access to all of the medical options available in their local community, to include medical marijuana in states where it is legal.
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