There are a couple of bills in the Senate and House I would like to make sure are on your radar. The "Safe Harbor Act" in the Senate, the "Common Sense Cannabis Reform for Veterans, Small Businesses, and Medical Professionals Act", and the “Fully Informed Veteran Act” in the House.
Please note that the current language is not acceptable. Veterans require access regardless of state laws, as federal patents. Also, a "temporary" measure is a non-starter as far as we are concerned.
The Veterans Action Council is putting forward the below suggestions which we feel should be included in any piece of legislation voted on and sent to the President. We would like to meet with your office via Zoom to discuss these suggestions, and how we see the access situation being resolved within the VHA.
* Recognize veterans as “federal patients”under the Veterans Health Administration.
* Provide for a voucher system of 10 grams of cannabis averaged at a cost of XXX, per day, for veterans enrolled in the VHA, which they can use to gain access to cannabis flower, tinctures, edibles, vape, or any other available modality from state regulated cannabis programs. Including any and all costs associated with certifying veterans for said state run cannabis programs.
* Provide for an identifier on our VHA identification cards identifying veterans as federal cannabis patients. These cards would provide immunity from prosecution in any U.S. state or territory without functional cannabis programs, or while traveling across the country.
* Provides for VHA applications to grow cannabis, partnering with the Department of Agriculture and universities, as well as any appropriate regulating agencies.
* Provide for authorization of cannabis Veteran Service Organizations, much like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, or Disabled American Veterans.
Postscript: ** A majority of vets like to own firearms. With the federal law stating that it is illegal to own a firearm if you use cannabis, many vets would not want anything to identify them as a medical cannabis patient. Many vets who will not get a medical card, because they do not want to end up on a list and not be able to purchase a firearm, or the slim chance the Feds would take their firearms. So perhaps make a provision in the bill so medical cannabis patients/providers/veterans can possess a firearm as a matter of federal law, rather than a state issue. This is a major component of the decision process for veterans "coming out of the closet" regarding their medical cannabis use.
“The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 make it illegal for a person who fits into any of the following categories to ship, transport, receive or possess firearms or ammunition.
Persons who are unlawful users of or are addicted to narcotics or any other controlled substances, including medical marijuana. Federal law prohibits medical marijuana users and providers from possessing or buying firearms and ammunition — even if state law allows the drugs use.
Form 4473 of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) states that anyone attempting to buy a gun from a licensed seller must truthfully answer a series of Yes/No questions, including: 11.e. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?
A marijuana user, or provider could, in theory, answer “No” to question 11.e., but that respondent would be violating federal law by doing so and it is a crime punishable as a felony under Federal law, and may also violate State and/or local law.
State Laws
People who purchase or keep marijuana, even for therapeutic purposes, and even in legal states could be kept from lawfully purchasing or possessing guns according to state gun laws.”
Relevant links
NPR article “Cannabis Science”: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/30/1000867189/after-50-years-u-s-opens-the-door-to-more-cannabis-crops-for-scientists
WHRV3 article “Safe Harbor Act”: https://www.whsv.com/2021/04/19/sen-kaine-reintroduces-veterans-medical-marijuana-safe-harbor-act/
Neurology of Cannabis article “Common Sense” Bill: https://www.neurologyofcannabis.com/blog/common-sense-cannabis-reform-act/
NiaMedic Research Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6912698/
“Fully Informed Veteran Act”: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/military-veterans-could-discuss-state-marijuana-programs-with-va-doctors-under-new-bipartisan-congressional-bill/
Military Times: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/03/19/fda-regulated-study-shows-promise-for-using-marijuana-to-treat-veterans-with-ptsd/
Helmand Valley Growers Company: https://www.hvgcompany.com/what-we-are-doing
Scottsdale Research Institute: http://www.sriresearch.org/mission.html
Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS): https://maps.org/about
The Green Paper: https://www.veteransactioncouncil.com/the-green-paper-1