April 17, 2018

Rep. Correa & Committee Leadership Introduce Bipartisan VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA) joined House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) and Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) to introduce bipartisan legislation that directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to perform medical research on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain.

Rep. Correa said, “I am honored to join Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz, and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Jon Tester in finally taking action to help veterans in need of medical cannabis.

“With the opioid crisis raging across America, it is imperative to the health and safety of our veterans that we find alternative treatments for chronic pain and service-related injuries.

“Throughout my district, I meet veterans who depend on cannabis to manage their pain. Numerous veterans attest to the treatment benefits of medical cannabis. It’s time the VA did a formal study. Rather than risk becoming dependent on opioids, these veterans find relief in medical cannabis.

“Opioid prescriptions for veterans have increased by 270 percent since 2003, resulting in 68,000 veterans developing an opioid addiction and a two-fold increase in accidental opioid overdose deaths. This is unacceptable.

“I want to bring these brave men and women the relief they deserve. This legislation will finally allow the VA to perform research on medical cannabis. Our veterans risk everything for us. We need to do everything we can to help them once they are home.”