Legislation on Capitol Hill would allow for research on cannabis as a treatment for veterans with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—if it can first pass out of committee.
Senate Bill 1467 and House Resolution 2916, known as the “VA Cannabis Research Act of 2021,” would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a series of clinical trials on the effects of cannabis on patients with these conditions.
The Senate version of the legislation was introduced in April 2021 by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and has not seen any movement since a June 2021 hearing by the Committee on Veterans Affairs. S.B. 1467 has picked up one cosponsor, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska.
The House version of the legislation, also introduced in April 2021, is sponsored by Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., and has four co-sponsors: Reps. Peter Meijer, R-Mich.; Elaine Luria, D-Va.; Andy Kim, D-N.J.; and Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., who just recently signed on to the legislation earlier this month.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a nonprofit organization that, in part, helps fight for veterans’ interests on Capitol Hill, backs both bills.
“We do what we can when we find legislation that we can support to let our members know ... here is something that is potentially good for you or something you have asked for that we think is good legislation, and be sure to let your legislators know that," DAV Assistant National Legislative Director Marquis Barefield told WCPO.
