A Democratic senator says GOP leadership’s decision to omit from a key spending bill a provision that would have increased military veterans’ access to medical marijuana in legal states is “just plain cruel.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) filed an amendment to let U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issue medical cannabis recommendations to their patients this week, but it was not allowed a to receive a vote on the Senate floor.
As such, the appropriations legislation that Congress passed—and President Donald Trump signed on Wednesday—did not contain language on the issue. That’s despite the fact that similar provisions were already approved in different forms by both the House and Senate as part of spending bills earlier this year.
“Veterans deserve the same access to the full range of medical advice and options that other folks have—including medical cannabis in states where it’s legal,” Merkley told Marijuana Moment. “Rather than deliver on our nation’s promise to do all we can to support service members, Senate Republicans have once again stripped out my provision that would allow veterans nationwide to discuss this treatment option with their doctor, like any other patient.”
“That’s just plain cruel, and I’ll keep fighting for the millions
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