The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 86 to 5 for U.S. military veterans who would be permitted to be given recommendations for medical marijuana from government doctors under new legislation.
The provision is part of large-scale legislation to fund parts of the federal government including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through Fiscal Year 2019.
This would also protect veterans from losing their government benefits as a result of cannabis use that is legal under state law.
The House and Senate have previously adopted versions of the cannabis recommendation rider, but it has never been enacted into law.
The House Rules Committee blocked a floor vote on adding the marijuana language to that chamber’s version of the VA funding bill earlier this year. But the cannabis provision made it to the Senate floor because that body’s Appropriations Committee adopted it on a voice vote earlier this month.
A bicameral conference committee will work to reconcile each chambers’ bill into final legislation to be sent to the President.
SEC. 249. 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—
(1) interfere with the ability of a veteran to participate in a medicinal marijuana program approved by a State;
(2) deny any services from the Department to a veteran who is participating in such a program; or
(3) 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.
