U.S. House Approves Amendment Allowing VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana to Veterans
- The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment allowing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to assist veterans in accessing state-legal medical marijuana programs.
- The amendment was introduced by Representatives Brian Mast, Dave Joyce, and Dina Titus and passed by voice vote as part of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
- If enacted, the amendment would prevent the VA from using funds to enforce Veterans Health Directive 1315, which currently bars VA providers from helping veterans complete forms or register for state medical marijuana programs.
- Currently, VA doctors can discuss marijuana use but cannot assist with formal enrollment, forcing veterans to seek outside providers for paperwork; the amendment aims to change this by blocking enforcement of prohibitions on VA providers' involvement.
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved an amendment that would allow Department of Veterans Affairs doctors to help veterans access state-legal medical marijuana programs.
The amendment, filed by U.S. Representatives Brian Mast (R-FL), Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Dina Titus (D-NV), was approved by voice vote as part of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The proposal had been cleared earlier this week by the House Rules Committee. A similar amendment was given approval by the full House and Senate last year as part of a budget bill, but was removed before being sent to President Trump as the two chambers worked the reconcile their versions of the bill.
If enacted, the amendment would block the VA from using funds in the bill to enforce portions of Veterans Health Directive 1315 that currently bar VA providers from completing forms, making referrals or helping veterans register for state-approved medical marijuana programs.
Under current VA policy, doctors may discuss marijuana use with veterans, but they are not allowed to take the steps needed to help them formally participate in state medical marijuana programs. As a result, veterans who qualify under state law are often required to pay outside providers for paperwork that their VA doctors are prohibited from completing.
The amendment would specifically prevent enforcement of the directive’s language stating that “VHA providers are prohibited from completing forms or registering Veterans for participation in a State-approved marijuana program.” It would also block enforcement of related instructions requiring VA officials and facility directors to make sure staff understand they cannot recommend, refer or complete paperwork for veterans seeking access.