May 08, 2018

Rep. Correa’s Veterans’ Cannabis Research Bill Passes Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, H.R. 5520?—?VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018, introduced by Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA), House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN), and Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) successfully passed out of committee. The bipartisan legislation 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, “Today’s committee vote is a historic step for our veterans and cannabis research. For veterans throughout my district, cannabis is an invaluable medicine for managing their pain. I am honored to see such support 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. 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.

“Today’s vote moves us one step closer to giving our veterans an alternative and getting our warriors the relief they deserve.”

Longtime cannabis advocate Rep. Earl Blumenauer said, “Veterans across the country are demanding access to alternatives to highly-addictive opioids. Today’s action is a great step toward getting our veterans the care they need and want. I’m hopeful we can build on this momentum and get this and other critical cannabis legislation across the finish line.”

Rep. Correa’s bill, H.R. 5520, the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018, authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to advance scientific and medical research into the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabis usage by veterans with diagnoses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain. The bill directs VA to provide Congress with a report dictating their plan to conduct research. As of introduction, the legislation was co-sponsored by 28 Democrats and 7 Republicans.