WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI) joined his colleague Representative Lou Correa (D-CA) in reintroducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation directing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to perform clinical research on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in treating veterans’ post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain. The companion bill was introduced by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK).
“Veterans across the country continue to suffer from chronic pain and PTSD as a result of their service, and too many are being lost to opioid overdose and suicide here at home,” said Rep. Meijer. “We owe it to our nation’s veterans to pursue alternative treatment that could be safer and more effective. There remains a need for increased research and trials on cannabis as an alternative treatment, and this bill will help ensure that the VA moves forward with these studies expeditiously.”
The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2021 would:
- Direct the VA to conduct scientific and medical research into the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabis usage by veterans diagnosed with chronic pain or PTSD.
- Directs the VA to provide Congress with a report dictating its plan to conduct research and to report their findings and progress while conducting the study periodically.
