plan of action - may 30, 2017

Medical Marijuana for Veterans


Currently, VA doctors are not allowed to advise on or provide referrals for medical marijuana, forcing veterans to seek private, out-of-network care if they need to access medical cannabis. Last year, both houses voted to include language lifting the ban in an appropriations bill, but it was removed by Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) has introduced H.R. 1820, the Veterans Equal Access Act, which would authorize  VA health care providers to: (1) provide veterans with recommendations and opinions regarding participation in their state's marijuana programs, and (2) complete forms reflecting such recommendations and opinions. This bill has been co-sponsored by ten Democrats and two Republicans.

Veterans are increasingly turning to medical cannabis as an effective, safer, and non-addictive alternative to opioids and other conventional medications. They should be allowed equal access to all available effective treatments.


Action:

1.  If your Member of Congress is already one of the co-sponsors of H.R. 1820, please contact them to thank
     them for supporting this legislation.

2.  If your Member of Congress is not already one of the co-sponsors of H.R. 1820, please contact them and
     ask them to become a co-sponsor.

3.  If your Member of Congress is a member of the House subcommittee on health (the committee to which
​     the bill has been referred), ask them to vote the bill forward for a vote in the full house.

House contact info: www.house.gov