Granting Veterans Access to Medical Marijuana

Press Release

Today the U.S. House of Representatives took historic action to provide veterans access to medical marijuana. By a bipartisan vote of 233-189, the House of Representatives approved an amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill to remove a barrier that prohibited VA doctors from prescribing or even talking to patients about medical marijuana in states where medical marijuana is legal. The amendment was co-authored by Rep. Jared Polis and Rep. Earl Blumenauer.

"Veterans whose doctors believe that medical marijuana will help them address medical issues such as PTSD or chronic pain should be afforded that option," Rep. Polis said. "They are our nation's heroes, and we need to give them every opportunity to live a healthy life after their services."

The Senate version of this bill includes similar language.

Last week, Rep. Polis offered another amendment which focused on marijuana. The amendment would have promoted research into alternative pain management therapies such as medical marijuana, as a means to address the opioid addiction epidemic.

Rep. Polis also has introduced the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, which would legalize marijuana at the federal level.

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