Statement: Senate Vote on Research Bill “Fails Our Veterans”

Washington, D.C. — In response to the U.S. Senate blocking passage of the bipartisan VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act from Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Veterans Cannabis Project Executive Director Stephen Jones issued the following statement:

 “We are incredibly disappointed in the result of this vote. This bill is a simple research measure that would only begin the process of helping one of our most valuable and vulnerable populations – our veteran community. The bill passed unanimously out of committee and received bipartisan backing. There is no way around it – this result fails our veterans.

 Those who are suffering from PTSD, TBIs, and other conditions do not have the luxury of waiting for their representatives to reach a ‘perfect’ solution. While this is a setback, we will continue to work with lawmakers to ensure veterans receive the care they deserve.”

Statement: Veterans Cannabis Project Applauds Representatives Mast & Blumenauer for Introducing Access Bill

Washington, D.C. — In response to the introduction of the Veterans Equal Access Act by Representatives Brian Mast (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Veterans Cannabis Project Executive Director Stephen Jones issued the following statement:

“We’re pleased to see Representatives Mast and Blumenauer introduce the Veterans Equal Access Act again in Congress and are encouraged by their continued dedication on behalf of our veterans.

“Most veterans live in states where medical marijuana is now legal, but their doctors at the VA are hamstrung by outdated federal policy when it comes to even simple things like making program recommendations or filling out forms. This bipartisan bill is a step in the right direction toward closing that care gap. The healing, recovery, and reintegration process is already hard enough for our service members, and we owe it to them to cut through the red tape when it comes to getting the help they need.”