What are we up to?
In October of 2020 we attended a meeting of the United States Cannabis Caucus, chaired by the office of Representative Earl Blumenauer. At that meeting a list of concerns from the veteran community were read to those present, along with a plea to be considered in the upcoming MORE Act being put forward for a vote. Our request fell on deaf ears, and at the following meeting we were told by Blumenauer’s office our issues would not be addressed in the MORE Act. Subsequently, we began working closely with Representative David Joyce’s office, and more recently Representative Barbara Lee’s office as well. Both are co-chairs of the Cannabis Caucus.
In the time that has passed since we first engaged the caucus in a meaningful manner, we have fine tuned our approach. This includes outlining what we believe to be meaningful remedies which, if adopted through legislation by congress, could potentially address many of the hardships currently being faced by our veteran community. Principally the reliance on pharmaceutical remedies, and the correlating suicide rate within our ranks. We have pinpointed what we feel are the most viable pathways for the policy recommendations provided. These include specific committees and departments within the government, as well as accompanying legislation which may be used as a vehicle to implement the remedies identified.
Which ones?
Appropriations Committee
Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
$922 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for Substance Use Disorder treatment/prevention.
We’ve suggested using some of those funds to implement a harm reduction model centered on cannabis treatment, and other services/resources available through the VA’s “Whole Health” program.
MilconVA Bill
“The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides healthcare for 9,200,000 Veteran enrollees, disability compensation benefits to nearly 6,000,000 Veterans and survivors, pension benefits for over 357,000 Veterans and survivors, life insurance for more than 5,500,000 Veterans, servicemembers and their families, educational assistance for nearly 900,000 trainees, and interment of more than 130,000 Veterans and eligible family members in national cemeteries. To adequately serve the Nation’s Veterans, VA employs more than 425,000 people, making it one of the largest Federal agencies in terms of employment.” -Source
We’ve suggested expanding the VA’s “Choice Act” to include medical cannabis dispensaries and doctor recommendations in states where state regulated cannabis dispensaries have been established.
National Defense Authorization Act
VA–DOD Joint Venture Facilities- Training and healthcare. Tying in that veterans are federal patients under federal responsibility.
Military Personnel/Veterans require similar language from the HOPE Act be applied to them, which requires the attention of DoD, and adjustment to the UCMJ code pertaining to cannabis use by military personnel. Once again, if the federal scheduling of cannabis under the CSA is addressed, and whole plant cannabis is properly placed/descheduled, this is more of an administrative procedure, as opposed to a political action.
Labor, Health, Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
We’ve suggested expanding the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program through the Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs, so as to ensure veterans residing in states without medical cannabis dispensaries can still gain access to federally grown cannabis from the multiple sources available.
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
We are looking into the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The President of the United States chairs the OSTP. Vice President Harris is a member of the NSTC.
If it were up to us, we would introduce federal legislation which:
Releases to the public data collected per VA directive 1315 and its predecessors, since 2011;
Releases to the public all relevant data from the federal compassionate IND program pertaining to the safety, and efficacy of cannabis being used by the participating federal patients who have passed away, since 1976;
Provides for training and continuing education uniformly across the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level including, but not limited to the history of cannabis medicine; the function of the endocannabinoid system; new discoveries as research is conducted; and federal/state policy in order to best uniformly integrate treatment into federal patient care;
Uniformly expands the federal Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program (IND) through the VA;
Recognizes Veterans enrolled with, and receiving care from the VA as federal patients, requiring laws/policy being applied uniformly in all fifty states and territories of the U.S., reflecting the unique status of military (federal) personnel;
Provides an identifier on VA patient data cards identifying participating Veterans as federal cannabis patients; eliminating threat of prosecution/incarceration while traveling within the U.S. or on federal property with their medicine;
Provides for VA to grow cannabis for Veterans participating in the expanded IND program, and occupational therapy programs. Uniformly promoting home cultivation, and medicinal access to a broad variety of cannabis products, and;
Provides for a cannabis voucher system within the VA for Veterans to access cannabis under individual state medical cannabis programs/dispensaries.
Charters through Congress, new Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) working in this field.
Why these things specifically?
The WFWP State Program Template
These recommendations are intended to provide guidance related to veterans and medical cannabis in states across the country.
Many groups have followed our lead in providing certifications and medicine for Veterans in “legal” states across the country, now it is time to implement another strategy. The American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars are hemorrhaging membership, and posts across the country are falling into disrepair and foreclosure. These need to be transitioned into members-only compassion centers for our women and men who have served their country.
Based on our experience in the trenches, we have made the following observations of what baseline policy Veterans need states to implement:
Recognize cannabis as a viable treatment option for Veterans within their borders.
Provide incentives within the cannabis space as are already offered for Veterans in other state programs, such as fee waivers, job placement, and special licensing considerations.
Provide for cannabis dispensary licenses to be used by new or existing Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs)/Compassion Centers who choose to move away from alcohol sales.
Protect the ability of these VSOs/Compassion Centers to host cannabis farmer’s markets.
Protect the ability of these VSOs/Compassion Centers to give/receive cannabis donations to/for Veterans in need.
A new VSO is needed so Veterans can engage with each other and their community in a healthy, productive manner. This new VSO model does not involve alcohol. It implements a more conducive, harm reduction approach geared toward:
Reducing the suicide rate within the Veteran community;
Reducing the dependence on pharmaceuticals within the Veteran community;
Providing a safe environment for Veterans, their families, and friends;
Increasing the quality of life for Veterans, and their families;
Establishing new networking opportunities within the Veteran community;
Identifying and perpetuating positive trends within the Veteran community;
Designing metrics to monitor the utilization/effectiveness of proposed programs.
Agriculture Therapy Program Promoting Post Traumatic Growth
Finally, as it relates to the individual, gardening is a great way to engage the natural world. There are many programs geared toward assisting transitioning service members who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture. Whether for therapy, as a profession, or hobby, growing cannabis should be encouraged. From learning more about the medicine they are growing, to providing a way to earn a living, or by furthering their education, Veterans stand to benefit greatly in this field. Given the support for Veterans residing in “legal” cannabis states, we’ve included a basic list for anyone interested in growing their own medicine.
What do we need you to do?
Below is a list of veterans in the United States House, and Senate.
Please reach out to their Washington D.C. office and let them know what this issue means to you personally. If you have anything to add from your own journey, that will help us push this issue further down the field toward our objective.
We are still working on expanding this list, and will be publishing on our website in the near future.
Thank you for your support!
Rico and Kowalski
Coordinators
Weed For Warriors Political Action Unit
THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
Alabama
House
(VETERAN) Barry Moore: Amy National Guard / (202) 225- 2901, Armed Services, Natural Resources,
Alaska
Senate
(VETERAN) Dan Sullivan, Alaska: currently Colonel, Marine Corps Reserve (Middle East, Afghanistan)/ (202) 224-3004, Commerce, Science and Technology, Armed Services, Environment and Public Works, Veterans’ Affairs,
_________
House
(VETERAN) Don Young, Alaska: Army 1955-1957 / (202) 225-5765, Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure,
Arizona
Senate
(VETERAN) Mark Kelly, Arizona: Navy/NASA (Captain/Astronaut Ret.) 1987-2011(Desert Storm, Space Station) / (202)-224-2235, Committee on Armed Services, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Committee on Environment and Public Works, Joint Economic Committee, Special Committee on Aging
________
House
(VETERAN) Ruben Gallego, Arizona: Marine Corps, (202) 225-4065, Armed Services, Natural Resources, Veterans’ Affairs,
Arkansas
Senate
(VETERAN) Tom Cotton, Arkansas: Army (Captain) 2005-2012/ (202) 224-235, Judiciary, Intelligence, Armed Services,
________
House
(VETERAN) Steve Womack, Arkansas: Army National Guard (Colonel Retired) 1979-2009 / (202) 225-4301, Appropriations,
(VETERAN) Rick Crwaford, Arkansas: Army 1985-1989 / (202) 225-4076, Agriculture, Intelligence, Transportation and Infrastructure,
California
House
(VETERAN) Mike Garcia, California: Navy 1999-2012 / (202) 225-1956, Appropriations, Science, Space, and Technology,
(VETERAN) Darrell Issa, California: Army Reserve 1970-1980 / (202) 225-5672, Foreign Affairs, Judiciary,
(VETERAN) Ted Lieu, California: Current Air Force Reserve (Colonel) / (202) 225-3976, Foreign Affairs, Judiciary,
(VETERAN) Salud Carbajal, California: Marine Corps Reserve / (202) 225-3601, Agriculture, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure,
(VETERAN) Mike Thompson, California: Army 1967-1973(Vietnam) / (202) 225-3311, Joint Committee on Taxation, Ways and Means,
(VETERAN) Jimmy Panetta, California: Navy Reserve (OEF) / (202) 225-2861, Agriculture, Armed Services, Ways and Means,
Colorado
House
(VETERAN) Jason Crow, Colorado: Army 2002-2006(OIF,OEF) / (202) 225-7882, Armed Services, Intelligence, Small Business,
Connecticut
Senate
(VETERAN) Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut: Marine Corps Reserve 1970-1976 / (202) 224-2823, Judiciary, Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs, Special Committee on Aging,
Delaware
Senate
(VETERAN) Tom Carper, Delaware: Navy (Captain) 1968-1973 (Vietnam) Navy Reserve 1973-1991 / (202) 224-2441, Environment and Public Works *Ranking Member, Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Finance,
Florida
Senate
(VETERAN) Rick Scott, Florida: Navy 1971-1974 / (202) 224-5274, Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Armed Services, Commerce, Science and Technology, Budget, Special Committee on Aging,
________
House
(VETERAN) Vern Buchanan, Florida: Air Force 1970-1976 / (202) 225-5015, Ways and Means,
(VETERAN) Neal Dunn, Florida: Army / (202) 225-5235, Energy and Commerce,
(VETERAN) Mike Waltz, Florida: Current Army National Guard(Colonel) / (202) 225-2706, Armed Services, Science, Space, and Technology,
(VETERAN) Greg Steube, Florida: Army 2004-2008(OIF) / (202) 225-5792, Foreign Affairs, Judiciary,
(VETERAN) Brian Mast, Florida: Army 2000-2011(OEF) / (202) 225-3026, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure,
(VETERAN) Scott Franklin, Florida: Navy(Commander Retired) (202) 225-1252, Armed Services, Oversight and Reform,
Georgia
House
(VETERAN) Barry Loudermilk, Georgia: Air Force 1984-1992 / (202) 225-2931, Financial Services, House Administration, Joint committee of congress on the library,
(VETERAN) Andrew Clyde, Georgia: Navy(Commander Retired) 1985-2013 / (202) 225-9893, Oversight and Reform, Homeland Security,
(VETERAN) Sanford Bishop, Georgia: Army 1968-1971 / (202) 225-3631, Agriculture, Appropriations,
Hawaii
House
(VETERAN) Kai Kahele, Hawaii:Lieutenant Colonel Air National Guard(OEF, OIF)/ (202) 225-4906, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure,
Illinois
Senate
(VETERAN) Tammy Duckworthm, Illinois: Army (Lieutenant Colonel Ret.) 1992-2014 (OIF) / (202) 224-2854, Special Committee on Climate Crisis, Environmental Justice Caucus, Armed Services, Environment and Public Works, Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Small Business and Entrepreneurship,
_________
House
(VETERAN) Mike Bost, Illinois: Marine Corp 1979-1982 / (202) 225-5661, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs,
(VETERAN) Adam Kinzinger, Illinois: Air Force(Lieutenant colonel) 2003-present / (202) 225-3635, Foreign Affairs, Energy and Commerce, Select Committee to investigate the ⅙ attack,
(VETERAN) Bobby Rush, Illinois: Army 1963-1968/ (202) 225-4372, Agriculture, Energy and Commerce,
Indiana
Senate
(VETERAN) Todd Young, Indiana: Marine Corps (Captain) 1995-2000/ 202-224-5623, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Science and Transportation, Small Business and Entrepreneurship,
_________
House
(VETERAN) Larry Bucshon, Indiana: Navy 1989-1999 / (202) 225-4636, Energy and Commerce,
(VETERAN) Jim Banks, Indiana: Navy Reserve(Lieutenant) 2012-present(OEF) / (202) 225-4436, Armed Services, Education and Labor, Veterans’ Affairs,
(VETERAN) Jim Baird, Indiana: Army 1969-1972(Vietnam) / (202) 225-5037, Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology,
(VETERAN) Greg Pence, Indiana: Marine Corps 1979-1984 / (202) 225-3021, Energy and Commerce,
Iowa
Senate
(VETERAN) Joni Ernst, Iowa: Army National Guard (Lieutenant Colonel Retired) 1993-2015 (‘03-’04 OIF 1168th transport company commander) / (202) 224-3254, Armed Services, Environment and Public Works, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Small Business and Entrepreneurship,
_______
House
(VETERAN) Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa: Army(Lieutenant Colonel Retired) / (202) 225-6576, Education and Labor, Homeland Security, Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Veterans’ Affairs,
Kansas
Senate
(VETERAN) Roger Marshall, Kansas: Army Reserve (Captain) 5years/ 202-224-4774, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Energy and Natural Resources, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Small Business and Entrepreneurship,
Kentucky
Senate
(TURTLE)Mitch McConnell, Kentucky: Army Reserve 1967 (37 days) / (202) 224-2541, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Appropriations, Rules and Administration,
_________
House
(VETERAN) Harold Rogers, Kentucky: Army National Guard 1956-1964 / (202) 225-4601, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs,
(VETERAN) Brett Guthrie, Kentucky: Army 1987-1990 / (202) 225-3501, Energy and Commerce,
Louisiana
House
(VETERAN) Clay Higgins, Louisiana: Army National Guard 1979-1985 / (202) 225-2031, Oversight and Reform, Homeland Security,
Maine
House
(VETERAN) Jared Golden, Maine: Marine Corp 2002-2006(OIF,OEF) / (202) 225-6306, Armed Services, Small Business,
Maryland
House
(VETERAN) Andy Harris, Maryland: (202) 225-5311, Appropriations,
(VETERAN) Anthony Brown, Maryland: Army Reserves(Colonel retired)(OIF) /(202) 225-8699, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs,
Massachusetts
Senate
(VETERAN) Ed Markey, Massachusetts: Army Reserves 1968-1973/ (202)-224-2742, Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Environment and Public Works, Foreign Relations, Small Business and Entrepreneurship,
________
House
(VETERAN) Seth Moultan, Massachusetes: (202) 225-8020, Armed Services, Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure,
(VETERAN) Jake Auchincloss, Massachusetts: Marine Corps(Major) 2010-2015(Afghanistan/Panama)/ 202-225-5931, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure,
Michigan
Senate
(VETERAN) Gary Peters, Michigan: Navy (Lieutenant Colonel Ret.) 1993-2008 (Operation Southern Watch) / (202)-224-6221, Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Armed Services, Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
_________
House
(VETERAN) Jack Bergman, Michigan: (202) 225-4735, Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs,
(VETERAN) Peter Meijer, Michigan: (202) 225-3831, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology,
Mississippi
Senate
(VETERAN) Roger Wicker, Mississippi: Air Force 1976-1980 Air Force Reserve (Lieutenant Colonel Retired) 1980-2003/ (202) 224-6253, Commerce, Science and Transportation *Ranking Member, Armed Services,
_______
House
(VETERAN) Trent Kelly, Mississippi: (202) 225-4306, Agriculture, Armed Services, Budget, Intelligence,
(VETERAN) Steve Palazzo, Mississippi: (202) 225-5772, Appropriations,
Nebraska
House
(VETERAN) Don Bacon, Nebraska: (202) 225-4155, Agriculture, Armed Services,
Nevada
House
(VETERAN) Mark Amodei, Nevada: (202) 225-6155, Appropriations,
New Jersey
House
(VETERAN) Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey: (202) 225-5034, Armed Services, Education and Labor, Science, Space, and Technology,
(VETERAN) Bill Pascrell, New Jersey:Army 1958-1967/ (202) 225-5751, Ways and Means,
New York
House
(VETERAN) Lee Zeldin, New York: (202) 225-3826, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs,
North Carolina
House
(VETERAN) G.K. Butterfield, North Carolina: Army 1968-1970 / (202) 225-3101, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Joint Committee of Congress on the Library,
Ohio
House
(VETERAN) Warren Davidson, Ohio: Army(Captain) 88-00/ (202) 225-6205, Financial Services, Select Committee Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth,
(VETERAN) Steve Silvers, Ohio: (202) 225- MIA *RESIGNED*
(VETERAN) Brad Wenstrup, Ohio: (202) 225-3164, Intelligence, Ways and Means,
(VETERAN) Bill Johnson, Ohio: (202) 225-5705, Energy and Commerce,
Oklahoma
Senate
(VETERAN) Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma: Army 1956-1958 / (202) 224-4721, Armed Services *Ranking Member, Environment and Public Works, Small Business and Entrepreneurship,
Oregon
House
(VETERAN) Peter DeFazio, Oregon: (202) 225-6416, Transportation and Infrastructure,
Pennsylvania
House
(VETERAN) Scott Perry, Pennsylvania: (202) 225-5836, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure,
(VETERAN) Guy Reschenthaler, Pennsylvania: (202) 225-2065, Appropriations, Modernization of Congress, Rules,
(VETERAN) Connor Lamb, Pennsylvania: Marine Corps 2009-2013 / (202) 225-2301, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, Veterans’ Affairs,
(VETERAN) Chrissy Houlahan, Pennsylvania: Air Force /(202) 225-4315, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Small Business,
Rhode Island
Senate
(VETERAN) Jack Reed, Rhode Island: Army (Major Ret.) 1971-1979 (Active) 1979-1991(Reserve) / (202) 224-4642, Appropriations, Armed Services *Ranking Member, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Select Committee on Intelligence,
South Carolina
Senate
(VETERAN) Lindsey Graham, South Carolina: Air Force 1982-1988 Air National Guard 1989-1995 Air Force Reserve (Colonel) 1995-2015 / (202) 224-5972, Budget *Ranking Member, Judiciary, Environment and Public Works,
______
House
(VETERAN) William Timmons, South Carolina: Air National Guard(Captain)/ (202) 225-6030, Financial Services, Modernization of Congress,
(VETERAN) Joe Wilson, South Carolina: (202) 225-2452, Armed Services, Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs,
Tennessee
House
(VETERAN) Mark Green, Tennessee: (202) 225-2811, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis,
Texas
House
(VETERAN) Van Taylor, Texas: (202) 225-4201, Financial Services,
(VETERAN) Dan Crenshaw, Texas: (202) 225-6565, Climate Crisis, Energy and Commerce,
(VETERAN) Brian Babin, Texas: (202) 225-1555, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology,
(VETERAN) Troy Nehls, Texas: (202) 225-5951, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs,
(VETERAN) Tony Gonzales, Texas: (202) 225-2531, Financial Services, Select committee Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, Foreign Affairs,
(VETERAN) Ronny Jackson, Texas: (202) 225-3706, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs,
(VETERAN) Pat Fallon, Texas: (202) 225-6673, Armed Services, Oversight and Reform,
(VETERAN) August Pfluger, Texas: (202) 225-3605, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security,
Utah
House
(VETERAN) Chris Stewart, Utah: (202) 225-9730, Appropriations, Intelligence,
Virginia
House
(VETERAN) Elaine Luria, Virginia: Navy(Commander Retired) 1997-2017 / (202-225-4215, Armed Services, Homeland Security, Select Committee to investigate the ⅙ attack, Veterans’ Affairs,
(VETERAN) Bobby Scott, Virginia: Army National Guard 1970-1973, Army Reserves 1974-1976/ (202) 225-8351, Budge, Education and Labor,
Wisconsin
House
(VETERAN) Scott Fitzgerald, Wisconsin: (202) 225-5101, Education and Labor, Judiciary, Small Business,
(VETERAN) Mike Gallagher, Wisconsin: (202) 225-5665, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure,