After failing to get some reform measures through the House in July, Representatives are looking to add similar reform measures to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill needs to pass, otherwise the government will shut down as a defense bill hasn’t been put in place. This is leading some lawmakers to add their measures to it so they receive discussion and debate. 

In the next few weeks, both the House Rules Committee and the full House chamber will discuss NDAA and its drug reform amendments. So far, six measures have been added to the defense act regarding cannabis and psychedelic reform measures for citizens, military personnel, and veterans. 

Psychedelic Measure

Of the six reform measures proposed to NDAA, only one involves psychedelics. This amendment, sponsored by Representative Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, would allow the secretary of defense to approve research grants to study the potential therapeutics of psychedelics. Research would not only be for citizens, but also for active military members suffering from PTSD. 

Grants would be for federal or state agencies, academics, or non-profits. Approved psychedelics include MDMA, psilocybin, DMT, and ibogaine. Interestingly enough, Representative Crenshaw has previously been against reform measures for both cannabis and psychedelics. This past summer, Crenshaw voted against another representative’s amendment to reschedule psychedelics to make research opportunities easier to access. It seems only recently Crenchaw has changed opinions and is moving forward with reform instead of fighting it. 

Cannabis Banking

Four times now, Representative Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., has had his Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act pass the House. Four times it has died in the Senate before receiving a vote. Now, it seems the representative is taking matters further by placing a replica of his bill as an amendment to the NDAA. This comes shortly after a board member of the NCUA criticized lawmakers, especially those in the Senate, for not acting sooner on the SAFE Banking Act.

Veterans Affairs

There are two amendments regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The first comes from Representative Lou Correa, D-Calif. In the amendment, the direct head of the VA would need to carry out a double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial to study the benefits of medical cannabis use for veterans with PTSD and chronic pain. 

In regards to chronic pain, the VA trial would need to investigate the impact of cannabis use on the brain, plus the use and dosage of opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol affecting the brain. The trial would also look at overall wellbeing factors such as sleep and anxiety. For any PTSD studies, research must examine the effects of cannabis on overall symptoms and benzodiazepines. 

The other amendment regarding the VA is from Representative Katherine Clark, D-Mass. It’s a push to stop the VA from denying home loans to veterans who work in state-legal cannabis industries. Similar language and instruction was also listed in the large spending bill from the House earlier this summer. A similar amendment passed the House a few years ago. However, the Senate removed the amendment.

Fumigation

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., brought forth an amendment regarding fumigation in Colombia. Fumigation is the use of gaseous chemicals to suffocate and kill pests, such as invasive species, in a large area. Most of the time, it’s not a first line of defense. Homes become completely enclosed and evacuated of all humans and animals for several hours, sometimes up to a week.

The proposed amendment would prohibit the use of funds for the aerial fumigation on drug crops in Colombia. Aerial fumigation is too dangerous to humans and the environment to support its use. Experts also suggest that fumigating fields in Colombia will only force the drug trade to head further underground and become more dangerous.  

Drug Tests

The final amendment involves the Pentagon. Recent reports suggest that military drug tests are being racially discriminatory. More members of minorities find themselves getting drug tested over their white comrades. A similar measure became approved in the House Armed Services Committee earlier in September. 

Future

In the next week or two, the House Rules Committee will vote on the NDAA, with these added reform amendments present. As more information becomes available surrounding this defense act, we will update you with the latest.

Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.