{"id":36223,"date":"2018-01-05T21:53:02","date_gmt":"2018-01-05T21:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/01\/05\/va-says-justice-department-crackdown-on-marijuana-wont-hit-veterans\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:56:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:56:45","slug":"va-says-justice-department-crackdown-on-marijuana-wont-hit-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/veterans\/2018\/01\/05\/va-says-justice-department-crackdown-on-marijuana-wont-hit-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"VA says Justice Department crackdown on marijuana won\u2019t hit veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 Veterans who talk to their doctors about medical marijuana use won\u2019t be hurt by the new Justice Department crackdown on the drug, according to officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But advocates worry the mixed message currently coming from federal officials will further stigmatize use and research into cannabis, potentially shutting down a valuable medical option for ailing veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe continue to be stuck in this gray zone on policy,\u201d said Nick Etten, founder of the Veterans Cannabis Project. \u201cThe reality is this leaves physicians at VA in a compromised position when talking about cannabis. And it\u2019s why veterans in states where it\u2019s legal often don\u2019t get medical cards: fear of prosecution and fear of a loss of benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo<\/a> rescinding previous administration policies not to interfere with state laws allowing marijuana use. The substance is still illegal under federal law, even though 29 states have legalized it for medical purposes and eight for recreational use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move raised fears that individuals producing, selling or using the drug could face new federal prosecution in places where the industry has thrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawmakers from states that have legalized the drug blasted Sessions for the change, calling it an unprovoked attack on states. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said he would put a hold on \u201cevery single nomination from the Department of Justice\u201d until the situation is settled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move also comes less than a month after updated guidance from the Department of Veterans Affairs encouraging veterans to discuss marijuana use with their VA doctors. Department officials said the move did not amount to any recommendation or endorsement of the drug, but rather an effort to provide a more complete picture of veterans health.<\/p>\n\n\n\t