U.S. House Approves Military Spending Bill With Psychedelic and Medical Marijuana Provisions

One amendment, introduced by Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) and Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH), would allow Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians to recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states where it’s legal. Under current policy, VA doctors are barred from assisting veterans in enrolling in state-approved medical marijuana programs. The amendment blocks the VA from using federal funds to enforce that restriction, including prohibiting enforcement of key provisions of Veterans Health Directive 1315. The House also approved an amendment from Representative Lou Correa (D-CA) that directs the VA to prepare for the potential integration of psychedelic therapies such as MDMA and psilocybin, pending federal approval. The amendment requires the department to evaluate necessary changes to its healthcare infrastructure and to develop training programs and clinical pilot projects to support the rollout of these treatments for veterans with PTSD and substance use disorders.

Both provisions were included in the final version of the military spending bill, which now heads to the Senate for consideration.

If enacted into law, the changes would mark a major shift in how the VA approaches mental health and pain management for millions of American veterans.