The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an amendment to a defense spending bill that would allow doctors with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states where it’s legal.
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The amendment, introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), was attached to the FY2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act during a recent committee markup.
Senator Merkley’s proposal would block the VA from using federal funds to enforce an internal directive that currently bars its health care providers from completing paperwork or recommending medical marijuana—even in the 39 states where it’s permitted for medical use. Under current VA policy, doctors are prohibited from helping veterans access state-legal marijuana programs in any way, despite its recognized benefits for conditions like PTSD and chronic pain.
The amendment specifically prevents enforcement of Veterans Health Directive 1315, including its provisions that:
- Prohibit VA providers from completing forms or registering veterans for participation in state-approved medical marijuana programs;
- Require VA officials to remind staff of the prohibition on referrals, recommendations, or documentation related to medical marijuana; and
- Direct VA medical facility leaders to ensure that all staff comply with those prohibitions.
The committee’s approval of this amendment marks a significant step toward expanding access to medical cannabis for veterans. Similar measures have also been introduced in the House, including the Veterans Equal Access Act and the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act.
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