VA secretary is “trying to explore what more we can do” for veterans using cannabis

By Aaron Banse. This article was initially published in our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.

According to the Veterans Association (VA), 11.9% of veterans use marijuana, often to self-medicate for illnesses like PTSD. Yet the VA will not expand its cannabis research and "continues to deny cannabis recommendations to veterans in 36 states that allow medical marijuana," according to an article in Politico. For the VA to change this policy, they need significant research findings indicating the benefits and potential issues with cannabis use for veterans. Despite "recent bipartisan calls from Congress, doctors and veterans" to increase the amount of research on the benefits of cannabis use for veterans from around the country, the Veterans Association has not made any changes. 

The VA secretary says that marijuana's classification as a Schedule 1 drug limits its ability to enact policy changes. Working within current legislation, the VA has approved research for CBD and synthetic THC for medical use. However, scientists say that both the VA and the DOJ "have a history of stonewalling anyone who wants to conduct trials of plant-derived cannabis for therapeutic purposes," according to Politico. Several recent bills would fix this, namely from House Rep. Lou Correa and Sen. Dan Sullivan, but they have failed to reach a vote on the House floor.

Despite VA's current position on cannabis, there is hope for veterans interested in medical marijuana. VA secretary Denis McDonough said he recently had a conversation with a veteran who told him that cannabis and his service dog were the only reason he was still alive. McDonough said, "It was very profound," and "we're trying to explore what more we can do." Veterans will have to wait for now, but they might face fewer barriers to getting what they need with the proper legislation.