The full United States Senate has approved a spending bill that includes an important medical marijuana provision.
By a vote of 82 to 15 the Senate has given approval to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies spending bill. Included in the bill is a provision, put forth by Senator Jeff Merkley (D), that would allow doctors at the US Department of Veterans Affairs to legally recommend marijuana to their patients, something that’s currently prohibited.
Specifically, the provision states that “None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs in this Act may be used in a manner that would interfere with the ability of a veteran to participate in a medicinal marijuana program approved by a State”, or “deny any services from the Department to a veteran who is participating in such a program”, or “limit or interfere with the ability of a health care provider of the Department to make appropriate recommendations, fill out forms, or take steps to comply with such a program.”
The provision is similar to a bill passed by the House of Representatives in July. Because the two versions of the bill differ slightly, a conference committee will be established to allow the two chambers to coalesce around one language. Once that’s concluded, the measure can be sent to President Biden for consideration.
The House version of the medical marijuana provision was put forth by Representatives Brian Mast, Earl Blumenauer, Dave Joyce and Barbara Lee.
