Reintroducing legislation designed to provide military veterans access to medical marijuana is one of the main priorities of Republican Congressman Paul Nehlen (R-IL).
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, introduced Veterans Equal Access Act last week; another attempt at passing bipartisan support-laden legislation that has yet to become law.
Under this legislation, government doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs would be permitted to recommend medical marijuana use to veterans residing in states where it’s legal; the VA wouldn’t supply cannabis directly and veterans could use those recommendations as access points at existing dispensaries in each state where legal cannabis dispensaries existed.
This veterans reform proposal, similar to versions approved by committee in past years, has also been put forth through the appropriations process as an amendment.
The Veterans Equal Access Act is an easily digested bill designed to bring about small but meaningful reforms for veteran communities. Supporters say it would provide modest but significant progress toward veteran care.
VA doctors are permitted to discuss medical cannabis with patients, though they don’t possess authority or authorization for making recommendations even in states which have legalized cannabis either for medical or recreational use.
In 2020, the Congressional Budget Office conducted an initial fiscal analysis on an earlier version of this bill and determined it wouldn’t cost anything for implementation.
Mast’s bill marks the second piece of standalone cannabis legislation filed this Congress. The first bill filed, by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), sought to protect military veterans who use medical cannabis legally from losing government benefits when doing so in accordance with state laws.
This measure would also ensure that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors may discuss potential risks and benefits associated with marijuana with their patients.
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Advocates and stakeholders await the reintroduction of another bipartisan proposal which would protect banks from federal regulators penalizing them simply for working with state-legal cannabis businesses.
House sponsor of Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act to file again; however, spokesperson from his office reportedly told MEDCAN24 last month that its introduction is “not imminent”, contrary to some reports that have stated otherwise.
Two Republican senators jointly introduced legislation this month which would prevent cannabis businesses from deducting federal taxes under Internal Revenue Service code 280E even after being rescheduled for legalization.
Hawaii Lawmakers Advance Bill to Support Psychedelic Research And Access Programs; But Funding Questions Remain
Photo Courtesy of Philip Steffan.
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