The legislation would temporarily allow veterans to legally possess and use marijuana under federal law, as recommended by doctors in accordance with state law.
By Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment
A key U.S. Senate committee has approved a spending bill with a new amendment allowing doctors at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to discuss and recommend medical marijuana to patients living in legal states.

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the cannabis amendment from Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in a voice vote on Thursday, also advancing the overall legislation, which provides funding for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilConVA) for the 2025 Fiscal Year.
“The only healthcare system in America where a doctor cannot discuss medical marijuana with patients in states where it’s legal is the veterans system,” Merkley told the panel. “We’re discriminating against our veterans. This is really unacceptable.”
The same committee similarly passed the senator’s veterans and cannabis amendment last session and in prior years.
Recent Posts
House Democrats are Finally Shifting on Israel. Party Leaders Must Listen
July 20, 2026
Take Action Now More than 100 Democratic lawmakers voted against arms for Israel. They’re listening to the people – their bosses are behindBy…
Mamdani Says He Is Examining Whether His Government Can Arrest Netanyahu During NYC Visit
July 19, 2026
Take Action Now The mayor said he is in “an active conversation with our legal department” on the matter.By Julia Conley, Common Dreams In a…
The Silver Lining of Trump’s Reheated Election Denialism
July 18, 2026
Take Action Now Take Trump seriously. Take him literally. But also see his speech for what it is: He knows he’s losing.By Brian Tyler Cohen, The…
Don’t Just Nationalize AI. Democratize It.
July 17, 2026
Take Action Now Public ownership of AI is no guarantee of democracy. We need democratic public ownership to prevent elites from maintaining control…




