The American Legion, the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, has adopted a resolution urging the “United States government to permit V.A. medical providers to be able to discuss with veterans the use of marijuana for medical purposes and recommend it in those states where medical marijuana laws exist.” The American Legion represents 2 million veterans nationwide.
Current VA policy prohibits Department of Veterans Affairs providers from completing forms seeking recommendations or providing opinions regarding a veterans participation in a state marijuana program.
Read the full text of the American Legion resolution – Resolution No. 28: Permit VA Providers to Discuss the Use of Medical Marijuana in Those States that have Legalized Marijuana.
The American Legion previously passed a resolution in 2016 to support the growth of marijuana at more locations, to remove cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, and to conduct more marijuana medical studies.
Veterans are increasingly turning to medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids and other conventional medications to treat conditions like chronic pain and post-traumatic stress.
Another military veterans group, American Veterans (AMVETS), passed a resolution in 2016 to “support a veteran’s right to use medical cannabis therapeutically and responsibly, in states where it is legal, if prescribed by a board certified medical professional.” The American Veterans group has about 250,000 members.
This issue has also been raised by US Representative Earl Blumenauer who introduced the Veterans Equal Access Act, H.R.1820, in March, 2017. The Veterans Equal Access Act provides that:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall authorize physicians and other health care providers employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to —
(1) provide recommendations and opinions to veterans who are residents of States with State marijuana programs regarding the participation of veterans in such State marijuana programs; and
(2) complete forms reflecting such recommendations and opinions.