{"id":42124,"date":"2018-04-16T20:11:09","date_gmt":"2018-04-16T20:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/04\/16\/bill-would-push-va-to-conduct-more-research-into-medical-marijuana\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:55:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:55:15","slug":"bill-would-push-va-to-conduct-more-research-into-medical-marijuana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/veterans\/2018\/04\/16\/bill-would-push-va-to-conduct-more-research-into-medical-marijuana\/","title":{"rendered":"New bill would push VA to conduct more research into medical marijuana"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 New legislation released Tuesday would dump the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 excuse for not better researching the possible benefits of cannabis for suffering veterans, a move that could have wide-ranging ramifications for the nationwide legalization of medical marijuana<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill \u2014 dubbed the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018 \u2014 has the support of the top Republican and Democrat on the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee and other key lawmakers. It would not only clarify that VA has the authority to research cannabis<\/a>, but require regular reports from department leaders on how seriously they are taking that responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile 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,\u201d said Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn, the House committee\u2019s ranking member<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t