Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act.

Hozzl · 2023-12-07T17:36:09Z

Explore the details of House Bill 2682 Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act. currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Armed Forces and National Security. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/7/2023, 5:36 PM

Summary of Bill HR 2682

The Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 2682, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress that aims to allow veterans access to medical marijuana in states where it is legal. The bill would protect veterans from losing their VA benefits if they choose to use medical marijuana as a treatment option for various medical conditions.

Under the current law, veterans who use medical marijuana risk losing their VA benefits, including access to healthcare services. The Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act seeks to change this by creating a safe harbor for veterans who use medical marijuana in compliance with state laws.

The bill would also require the VA to conduct research on the benefits of medical marijuana for veterans, including its potential to treat conditions such as chronic pain, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. This research would help to inform future policies and guidelines for the use of medical marijuana by veterans. Overall, the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act aims to provide veterans with access to alternative treatment options for their medical conditions, while also protecting their VA benefits. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is currently being considered for passage.

Congressional Summary of HR 2682

Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act

This bill authorizes activities related to medical marijuana use by veterans and provides for research on medical marijuana use by veterans.

Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) a veteran to use, possess, or transport medical marijuana in accordance with applicable state or Native American tribal law; (2) a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physician to discuss with a veteran the use of medical marijuana as a treatment if the physician is in a state or on tribal land that authorizes such treatment; or (3) a VA physician to recommend, complete forms for, or register veterans for participation in a medical marijuana treatment program in accordance with applicable state or tribal law. These authorizations expire after five years.

The bill also requires the VA to report on (1) the use of medical marijuana by veterans to manage pain and to treat diseases and disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder); and (2) the relationship between state-approved medical marijuana treatment programs, program access, and opioid use and misuse reduction.

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Current Status of Bill HR 2682

Bill HR 2682 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since April 18, 2023. Bill HR 2682 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on April 18, 2023. Bill HR 2682's most recent activity was Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. as of April 18, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2682

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2682

Primary Policy Focus

Armed Forces and National Security

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2682

Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act.

To allow veterans to use, possess, or transport medical marijuana and to discuss the use of medical marijuana with a physician of the Department of Veterans Affairs as authorized by a State or Indian Tribe, and for other purposes.