Congressional Committee Advances Cannabis and Psychedelics Amendments to Defense Bill, Rejects Other Cannabis Proposal

House Committee Approves Amendments Supporting Veterans’ Access to Medical Marijuana and Psychedelics Research

Washington, D.C., June 4, 2024 — A powerful House committee has approved several amendments to a comprehensive spending bill that would authorize U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to issue medical marijuana recommendations to veterans and support research into psychedelics. However, a proposal to block cannabis testing for federal job applicants in states with legalized cannabis was rejected.

Medical Cannabis Access for Veterans

The House Rules Committee on Monday approved amendments for floor votes on the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilConVA) appropriations legislation. One key amendment, supported by Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Dave Joyce (R-OH), allows veterans to access state medical marijuana programs. It also removes a VA directive that prevents the department’s doctors from issuing cannabis recommendations.

Eliminating VA Barriers

The amendment, co-sponsored by Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), is based on the Veterans Equal Access Act, championed by Blumenauer in multiple sessions. Although it has advanced in committees and on the floor before, it has yet to be enacted into law. The amendment’s approval reflects growing support for veteran access to medical cannabis.

Supporting Psychedelics Research

Another approved amendment, introduced by Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Lou Correa (D-CA), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), David Valadao (R-CA), Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and James Moylan (R-GU), encourages the VA to support research into the benefits of psychedelics for treating PTSD and depression. This amendment also prioritizes training therapists for these treatments.

Training and Research Initiatives

“Research over the past decade has demonstrated clear positive results in psychedelic-assisted therapies treating previously untreatable post-traumatic stress disorder,” Bergman told the committee. “We need more appropriately trained therapists for the new therapies. If the VA doesn’t look ahead and begin the necessary steps to train mental health professionals now, it will take years for psychedelic-assisted therapies to actually become available for our fellow veterans after FDA approval.”

Veterans’ Well-being

“Those who have risked their lives in defense of our country deserve happy and fulfilling lives,” Bergman added. “And we have the responsibility to ensure that VA is ready to assist them in this endeavor with that.” Correa echoed these sentiments, noting that some Congress members have personally benefited from such treatments.

Rejected Amendment on Cannabis Testing

Despite these advancements, GOP leadership rejected a proposal by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) to block the VA from subjecting job applicants to marijuana screenings if they reside in a state where cannabis is legal. Garcia has pursued this reform in previous sessions, but it has not yet reached the floor for consideration.

Continued Efforts and Future Prospects

The Rules Committee’s actions reflect a broader trend of supporting veterans’ access to medical cannabis and psychedelics research while maintaining certain restrictions. Meanwhile, other drug policy reforms, including measures to prevent security clearance denials based on past cannabis use and facilitate the rescheduling of certain psychedelics, are being pursued as part of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).