Recently, a duo of bi-partisan representatives from Florida and Massachusetts announced that they will co-sponsor a trio of bills that (when clustered together) will provide aid to veterans seeking medical marijuana or those who are currently using it. How is this possible? Once initiated, the trio of bills would provide aid to the Department of Veterans Affairs and help the organization become more responsive to veterans making inquiries about cannabis. During the next legislative session, Rep. Seth Moulton (Massachusetts Democrat and former Marine Corps officer) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (a Republican from Florida) will introduce the trio of bills, as Moulton revealed in an announcement released on Wednesday. So what specifically will these new regulations achieve? Let’s take a closer look at this duo’s plan to help veterans acquire medical marijuana.
Pot for Those Who Protect
While lawmakers have made multiple attempts to help veterans gain access to medical pot through the VA, conservative lawmakers in the House of Representatives have continued to block these pieces of legislation. Back in mid-2017, Congress hinted at the possibility of a bill that would give power to VA doctors, allowing them to provide recommendations for medical marijuana within legal states. Interestingly, this piece of legislation made it past the committee, but members of the House still managed to block it after several more weeks (in a very unexpected twist).
Bi-Partisan Proposals
So what are Representatives Gaetz and Moulton planning to introduce? First of all, the pair will propose a bill that will allow veterans to speak with their doctors about medical marijuana without facing any legal problems. Second, one measure would ask the VA to conduct a comprehensive study (and collect ensuing data) on veterans’ use of medical marijuana. Third, the last bill will direct funds to the VA so it can partner with medical schools which offer courses on the studies of medical-grade cannabis. Overall, the trio of policies has been endorsed by NORML, the National Cannabis Industry Association, and other organizations. Moulton feels that it is the obligation of lawmakers and the public to provide a mostly harmless means of alternative medication for these brave people.
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