WASHINGTON, DC – In a landmark decision the US Senate voted to allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients living in states where it's been legalized. This is the first time the U.S. Senate has moved forward with marijuana law reform. In a 18 to 12 vote The United States Senate Appropriations Committee passed this bipartisan amendment. The Veterans Equal Access Amendment was sponsored by Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana and Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon. The amendment was added to a must-pass military construction and VA spending bill. The bill is expected to pass on the Senate floor.

This is great news for veterans, currently doctor's with the VA are specifically prohibited from discussing or providing recommendations in states where marijuana has been approved for medicinal use. The VA has gone as far to deny veterans access to treatment for using marijuana. Out of all the federal healthcare programs the VA is the only one that prohibits doctor's discussing the benefits of medical marijuana. Medicare recipients are free to discuss the uses of marijuana in their treatment, while our returning veterans lack the same rights.  In 2002, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in Conant v. Walters protecting physicians rights to recommend medical marijuana regardless of legality under federal law. The Daines/Merkley amendment not only supports our first amendment right it but also returns us to a healthy doctor/patient relationship.

Below is a list of Senators that showed they would much rather our veterans suffer than help provide them with relief that works. If you see one of your representatives on this list please ensure you are reaching out to them and let them know your stance on this situation.

Thad Cochran (Mississippi)

Mitch McConnell (Kentucky)

Richard Shelby (Alabama)

Susan Collins (Maine)

Lindsey Graham (South Carolina)

Mark Kirk (Illinois)

Roy Blunt (Missouri)

Jerry Moran (Kansas)

John Hoeven (North Dakota)

Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia)

John Boozman (Arkansas)

James Lankford (Oklahoma)