Marijuana Moment: Republican Senators Made ‘Detrimental’ Mistake By Blocking Veterans’ Medical Marijuana Access, GOP Congressman Says

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A Republican congressman says his GOP colleagues in the Senate made a “detrimental” mistake by blocking language from a key spending bill that would have increased military veterans’ access to medical marijuana in legal states.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) told Marijuana Moment last week that he felt it was “ridiculous” the Senate declined to include the medical cannabis provisions in the appropriations legislation President Donald Trump signed into law last week. The omission came despite the fact that similar language was already approved in different forms by both chambers earleir this year.

“It was a great and easy opportunity to do so, and a sensical thing to move forward—and detrimental to veterans to not do so,” Mast, co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, said.

The congressman, an Army veteran who lost both of his legs while serving as an explosive ordnance disposal technician in Afghanistan, also noted that it came as a surprise that the cannabis and veterans section was left out—as Senate leadership “didn’t reach over and announce” that they’d be doing so ahead of the final package being released and enacted into law within a span of days.

On the Senate side, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sponsored an amendment to the now-enacted spending bill to re-add the provision letting U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issue medical cannabis recommendations to their patients, but it was not allowed a to receive a vote on the floor.

While disappointed that the reform did not make it into the legislation signed by President Donald Trump, Mast said the push for medical marijuana access for veterans will continue, though the issue will “undoubtedly” be put on hold until next year. When it does eventually come back up, he said supporters will have to consider whether they need to revise the language or “add something that somebody wants—some pet bullshit—in it, or whatever else it is” to bolster its chances of passage.

After the bill text was released without the veterans and cannabis provisions, advocates took note that it came just days before Veterans Day.

“The absence of this provision is incredibly disappointing, and makes no sense whatsoever,” Morgan Fox, political director of NORML, told Marijuana Moment at the time. “It is uncontroversial, revenue-neutral, previously approved by both chambers, and long overdue in order to help veterans find relief.”

In past years, both the House and Senate had included provisions in their respective MilConVA measures that would permit VA doctors to make the medical cannabis recommendations, but they have never been enacted into law.

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Mast in February filed the standalone Veterans Equal Access Act—marking one of the latest attempt to enact the measure that’s enjoyed bipartisan support over recent sessions.

Meanwhile, the appropriations bill that Trump signed also contains controversial provisions that would re-criminalize hemp products with THC, which many stakeholders believe would effectively eliminate the market.

The LCB contributed reporting from Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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