{"id":43193,"date":"2017-07-26T20:06:47","date_gmt":"2017-07-26T20:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/07\/26\/house-rejects-plan-to-let-va-doctors-talk-about-marijuana\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T14:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:05:09","slug":"house-rejects-plan-to-let-va-doctors-talk-about-marijuana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2017\/07\/26\/house-rejects-plan-to-let-va-doctors-talk-about-marijuana\/","title":{"rendered":"House rejects plan to let VA doctors talk about marijuana"},"content":{"rendered":"
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House Republicans leaders on Wednesday ended marijuana supporters hopes for a floor debate on allowing veterans to talk about using cannabis to treat a variety of ailments with their Veterans Affairs doctors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 House Republican leaders on Tuesday ended marijuana supporters hopes for a floor debate on allowing veterans to talk about using cannabis to treat a variety of ailments with their Veterans Affairs doctors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bipartisan proposal, submitted as an amendment to a broader appropriations bill set for a full chamber vote later this week, was rejected by the House Rules Committee. In a statement, sponsor Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., criticized the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll we want is equal treatment for our wounded warriors,\u201d he said. \u201cThis provision overwhelmingly passed on the House floor last year and bipartisan support has only grown. It\u2019s outrageous that the Rules Committee won\u2019t even allow a vote for our veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey deserve better. They deserve compassion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under current law, VA medical providers are prohibited from discussing or recommending medical marijuana as a treatment option with veterans, even if they live in a state where the drug is legal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, Senate appropriators included language overturning that ban in their fiscal 2018 budget plans for VA. The House passed a similar plan last year by a 233-189 vote, and supporters were hopeful for a similar result this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But leadership instead tossed out the amendment, ending the debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue comes at a complicated time for marijuana advocates. The drug is currently legal for medical use in 29 states and for recreational use in eight. But it\u2019s still classified as a dangerous addictive with \u201cno accepted medical use\u201d by the federal government, a distinction that has severely limited scientific research on the substance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advocates have pointed to a host of limited and international studies lauding cannabis for pain management. Last year, officials from the American Legion adopted a resolution supporting expanded research for its potential benefits to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other wounds of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, the White House has given no indication it plans to change the federal stance on marijuana. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in public remarks has promised increase scrutiny on states that allow its legal sale, and repeated the belief that the drug has no medicinal value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VA Secretary David Shulkin has been softer in his approach, saying he would be open to reviewing whether the substance has benefits for veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blumenauer promised to continue his legislative fight. His proposal was co-sponsored by nine Republicans and eight Democrats, but faces a difficult legislative path as a stand-alone measure in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGiven that veterans are more likely to commit suicide or die from opiate overdoses than civilians, our fight to provide them safer alternatives won\u2019t stop here,\u201d Blumenauer said. \u201cWe have stronger support in the House and Senate than ever before, and we will keep advocating for a more rational approach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n