VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023

VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study the effects of cannabis on veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or chronic pain (i.e., eligible veterans).

First, the bill requires the VA to conduct an observational, 18-month study on the effects of cannabis on the health outcomes of eligible veterans. The VA must report on the study and address whether it is able to meet criteria necessary to conduct clinical trials.

Then, if the VA determines that it is able to proceed, it must carry out a series of clinical trials on the effects of cannabis appropriate for investigational use, as determined by the Food and Drug Administration, on the outcomes of eligible veterans. The VA must carry out a long-term observational study of the clinical trial participants.

The VA may terminate the trials if it is unable to meet clinical guideline requirements or the trials would create excessive risk to participants.

The VA must ensure that the study and trials are representative of the demographics of veterans in the United States, as determined by the most recent data from the American Community Survey of the Bureau of the Census.

The study and trials must include mechanisms to ensure data preservation and registration as necessary (in an anonymous form).

The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 s 326, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The bill aims to authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct research on the potential benefits of medicinal cannabis for veterans.

If passed, the bill would require the VA to conduct clinical trials on the use of cannabis for medical purposes, specifically focusing on its effectiveness in treating conditions such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other ailments commonly experienced by veterans. The research would also examine the potential risks and side effects of using cannabis as a medical treatment.

The bill emphasizes the importance of providing veterans with access to alternative treatment options, particularly in light of the ongoing opioid crisis and the high rates of prescription drug abuse among veterans. By conducting research on medicinal cannabis, the VA hopes to better understand its potential benefits and risks, and ultimately provide veterans with more effective and safer treatment options. Overall, the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023 seeks to expand the VA's research capabilities and improve the quality of care provided to veterans by exploring the potential benefits of medicinal cannabis as a treatment option.