Many veterans have made it loud and clear that they want marijuana and that it helps them with PTSD and anxiety as well as many other conditions.
New legislation this week that was released on Tuesday could dump the Department of Veterans Affairs’ excuse for not conducting better research on the potential benefits of marijuana for veterans.
The bill is called the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018 and is supported by top Republican and Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee as well as several key lawmakers.
“While we know cannabis can have life-saving effects on veterans suffering from chronic pain or PTSD, there has been a severe lack of research studying the full effect of medicinal cannabis on these veterans,” explained Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn, the House committee’s ranking member.
“That is why I am so proud to introduce this legislation. Simply put, there is no department or organization better suited to conduct this critically important research than VA, and there will never be a better time to act.”
Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., said, “It’s time the VA did a formal study. Rather than risk becoming dependent on opioids, these veterans find relief in medical cannabis. … I want to bring these brave men and women the relief they deserve. This legislation will finally allow the VA to perform research on medical cannabis.”