The American Legion, the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, has adopted a resolution calling on federal officials to expand veterans’ access to medical marijuana.
The resolution, passed yesterday at the Legion’s annual convention, urges the “United States government to permit VA medical providers to be able to discuss with veterans the use of marijuana for medical purposes and recommend it in those states where medical marijuana laws exist.”
The language is similar to pending legislation in Congress, H.R. 1820: The Veterans Equal Access Act. In July, members of the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 24 to 7 to include similar language as an amendment to the 2018 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Identical language in the House was blocked from consideration by House Rules Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX).
Last year, majorities in both the US House and Senate voted to include similar language as part of the Fiscal Year 2017 MilCon-VA bill. However, Republicans sitting on the House Appropriations Committee elected to strip the language from the bill during a concurrence vote.
Federal policy prohibits V.A. doctors – including those residing in legal medical cannabis states – from providing the paperwork necessary to complete a recommendation, thus forcing military veterans to seek the advice of a private, out-of-network physician.
Both the American Legion and AMVETS issued public calls last year for federal marijuana law reforms. Veterans are increasingly turning to medical cannabis as an effective alternative to opioids and other conventional medications to treat conditions like chronic pain and post-traumatic stress.
But Jeff Sessions apparently believes that these vets are bad people, because “good people don’t use marijuana.” I would like to see him tell them that to their faces; I bet he would run away like a scared little rabbit.
Can’t say much good about Pete Sessions, either! No relation between the two, apparently, other than ideological.
“But Jeff Sessions apparently believes that these vets are bad people, because “good people don’t use marijuana.” I would like to see him tell them that to their faces; I bet he would run away like a scared little ELF”
Fixed it for you. Tell me he’s not the Kebler Elf on the TV. Has anyone seen them together?
@ Jim Blume,
Thank you. Yes, you’re right, that works much better!
And no, I never see the two of them at the same time! One leaves, the other shows up. “You just missed him,” we say. Hmmmmm! It does make you wonder…
The only statement I have to make is one that is negatiive. I predict AG Sessions will completely and totally ignore all four state responses to his letter. I am so sick and tired of people joking and laughing. This is not a joke. The Federal Gov. says marijauana is dangerous, and it is the responsibility of the Attorney General to enforce the laws. Attorney General Sessions is in charge. While the four states have responded, I retain ZERO faith that Jeff Sessions is not going to crack down. Trump just banned Transgender people from our military. The end is near.
JEFF SESSIONS will launch a crackdown, one that will badly opposed.
Took me a while to get back, and I have to go to work, now, wiill be back on later.
Mulitiple comments on TheCannabist saying, essentially, that marijauna is dangerous, and that we legalization adovs. need to put down the bong and speak up.
While I agree with both,…
Jeff Sessions, NORML and allies…..
if he cracks down, we are finished. We can’t stop him, and he knows it.
The opposition is making a good point. For all our strength….
Sessions could hurt us, abuse us, badly.
Trump, with his transgender ban….
the ignorant are continuing their attack. I must get some rest now, morning job, but I will be back.
Jeff Sessions is going to CRACK DOWN. We MUST be ready.
M.Bunker.
@ Matt,
I agree.
I’ve been saying it since Trump appointed Sessions in the first place. That says it all!
Overdose: Marijuana = 0, Opioids = Lots and Lots and Lots!
HOOAH!!!!!!!!
I’m glad there are a few willing to look to the future. I am a conservative, but I also believe that opiates are not the answer. I am a vet who has been prescribed Percocet, fiorocet, and Vicodin. None of them do anything more than make you want more. If marijuana has anti inflammatory properties and pain relief without the fear of overdose, the why in the hell would the Federal government stand in the way? Why? Big Pharma. Your reps are on the take. Big pharma owns the government!
@ Rain Bramage2,
I am the original Dain Bramage, and I am about as liberal as they get! Other than that, I tend to agree with you!
Trump was too much of a coward to even consider serving in our military. No one in his family has served either (please correct me if I’m wrong but I can’t find any evidence of it). He now, even though there is tremendous evidence proving otherwise, claims to know more than the Generals!
Mike Pence, who seems to think God is on his side is very unfriendly to the pro-legalization crowd which now consists of more than half of the people here in America.
Jeffrey Sessions, OMG, don’t get me started on him. As far as he is concerned anyone that uses marijuana, for any reason, is just not a good person. I guess that includes me even though I served honorably in the USMC… Go figure! I tend to think of Jeffrey Sessions as a Nazi-wannabe. He wants everyone to be made from the same mold he came from.
As a Disabled Army Veteran I believe it is time we get out there and peacefully walk on D.C. The politicians receive tons of our mail and file same. Just imagine all of us in person peacefully protesting our right to get better. Thanks
I strongly agree. If the body wants to eliminate toxins from the body, the cells, etc. must unite for the common cause. We have to do the same thing here to have a big impact.
We should seriously protest! As a vet and a medical user I have seen the benefits first hand and after compareing my two options(opioids and Mary) I fully support marijuana.
Any word on getting the American Legion to lobby for HR 1820?
As a 100% Disabled Veteran I have been prescribed large amounts of Opoids. I’m in great pain! I have been reducing my Opoids since I have been registered/licensed to use medical cannabis in Maryland. I just decided to transfer to Maryland VA and the Doctor from where I came from will not send my pain medications and the Doctor down here refuses to fill. I believe you all know what happens when you suddenly stop. I’m trying to transition to medical marijuana because it works, but I must be properly tapered. I believe the VA(certain doctor’s) are using there own beliefs and punishing us Veterans for wanting alternative medicine instead of Opoids! If there is anyone who can assist or advise what I can do, please do so. Thanks again.
You are not alone though, Gary. http://hightimes.com/news/veterans-va-is-publishing-worthless-pot-studies-blocking-real-research/
Disregard my prior erasing message. I looked in the wrong place. Apologies to NORML!
I think cannabis will greatly help veterans.
The government is trying to make it illegal for us to possess a legal cannabis license and own a gun. Having a card can extinguish a right to bear arms. No veteran should have to give up a right to bear arms. If alcoholics can bear arms, so can a man who smokes marijuana! Please insure all bases are covered before involving veterans. Thank you. 505-235-7489
I just don’t understand why do people need such a harmful opioids? Even medical marijuana may cause addiction, while special brain enhancement pills don’t have such side effects. I think it is easier to use already legal and useful medicine like https://www.smartpillwiki.com/brain-enhancement/. My doctor ?prescribed me that kind of pills and everything was ok.