The House Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Health heard several veteran bills on October 13. One such bill was the VA Cannabis Research Act, HB 2916. This bill, sponsored by Representative Lou Correa, D-Calif., would mandate the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to begin clinical trials for medical cannabis use for veterans with PTSD and chronic pain. 

Representative Correa explained HB 2916 is “a pragmatic and bipartisan piece of legislation that would advance our understanding of the impacts of medicinal cannabis usage and could improve the lives of veterans and other Americans.”

A version of this cannabis research bill has passed the full House Veterans Affair committee in 2018 and 2020. However, it has never made it past the full House. Additionally, the VA has been against any medical cannabis administration and research for veterans. Advocates and lawmakers were hoiping the VA under the Biden administration would be different.

Opposition

However, during the Subcommittee hearing, the VA spokesperson, David Carroll, spoke in opposition to HB 2916. “The proposed legislation is not consistent with VA’s practice of ensuring scientific merit as the basis for a randomized clinical trial,” Carroll explained.

The VA is not ideologically opposed to the research bill, Carroll said. But the organization sees it as “redundant.” The bill is also “not consistent with the current state of scientific evidence, which suggests that smaller, early phase, controlled clinical trials with a focused set of specific aims are optimal to determine proof of concept for using cannabis to treat specific conditions.”

Furthermore, the VA is “already dedicating resources and research expertise to study the effects of cannabis on conditions affecting veterans,” Carroll added. However, advocates and lawmakers currently don’t see these ongoing studies as sufficient. “We don’t want to do anything other than the best science and we don’t want to put any veterans at risk.”

Support

Even though the VA isn’t in support of HB 2916, several veteran organizations are. They have continuously expressed support for any clinical trials and research into medical cannabis for veterans.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States explained that members “tell us that medicinal cannabis has helped them cope with chronic pain and other service-connected health conditions.”

“They cannot receive this service at VA because of VA’s bureaucratic hurdles,” the group continued. “While VA has testified that it has the authority to study Schedule 1 drugs, it has failed to do so, and veterans are tired of waiting,” it continued. “This bill would prevent VA from further delaying needed research.”

Similarly, the American Legion is in favor of HB 2916. They said this bill “will help alleviate…stringent guidelines” on studies and “ensures there is adequate and appropriate research done on the impacts of medicinal cannabis. It is imperative that [the] Department of Veterans Affairs continue to explore alternative treatments to ensure those suffering from PTSD and chronic pain are provided the best possible care,” the group said.

Additional organizations supporting HB 2916 include the Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Association of VA Psychologist Leaders.

Future

The House Subcommittee did not vote on the bill, only hearing testimony on October 13. There is no timeline for when a vote or response will come. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest.

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