The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual bill that sets forth the budget and expenditures of the United States Department of Defense. This year, the NDAA was met with a few marijuana-related amendments proposed by members of Congress.
However, all these amendments were struck down in a Rules Committee vote recently, as reported by Marijuana Moment. The amendments included measures to address cannabis use among veterans, drug testing for military recruits, and expanding access to psychedelics for medical purposes.
Among those rejected was an amendment sponsored by Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), which would have expanded the DOD’s existing psychedelics study provisions to create a grant program to fund research investigating the therapeutic utility of psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The Rules Committee rejected the amendment despite getting support from both Democrats and Republicans alike.
The amendments also included measures to expand veterans’ access to medical cannabis in states where it is legal and allow the lowest-level defense employees to issue waivers for military recruits who admit to prior marijuana use.
Additionally, Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) proposed an amendment that expressed the sense of Congress that MDMA “should be recognized as a treatment” for PTSD and required the VA to create a plan if approved by the FDA.
Though all these amendments have been rejected, there still remains hope for progress concerning marijuana reform in the NDAA. With a continued effort from members of Congress, some of these amendments could make their way into the bill and become law in the near future.
Amendment Proposed by Rep. Dan Crenshaw
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) proposed an amendment to the NDAA that would have expanded the bill’s existing psychedelics study provisions to create a DOD grant program to fund research investigating the therapeutic utility of psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The amendment was met with bipartisan support in Congress, with both Democrats and Republicans alike voicing their approval.
However, the Rules Committee ultimately voted against it due to language stripped from Crenshaw’s measure requiring clinical trials instead of just studies. This would have required more rigorous oversight by federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Though this amendment was struck down, the overall goal is to provide veterans with more access to treatments for PTSD and TBI. With further research, medical initiatives like these can help improve outcomes for our nation’s heroes. Until then, it’s up to Congress to continue advocating for change to ensure our veterans receive the care they deserve.
Cannabis Amendment Attached to Bill
One cannabis amendment attached to the NDAA bill proposed by House Veterans Affairs Chair Mark Takano (D-CA) would establish a medical cannabis pilot program for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system.
The amendment would grant eligibility for the program to those with PTSD, depression, or anxiety as diagnosed by a VA physician. It would allow states to explore integrating medical cannabis into their existing treatment plans.
The measure was blocked from being included in the NDAA but could be attached later if Congress decides to take up the issue again. This is especially important since many veterans turn to marijuana as an alternative medication to address these issues when they don’t have access to more traditional treatments from the VA.
By expanding access to medical cannabis through this pilot program, Takano hopes more veterans will have access to the care they need. This amendment is a step in the right direction and could lead to more meaningful policy changes for our nation’s heroes in the future.
List of Marijuana and Psychedelics Amendments Blocked From Advancing
The list of marijuana and psychedelics amendments blocked from advancing include:
– Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) proposed an amendment that would end drug testing for military recruits except when there is reasonable suspicion of drug use or abuse.
– Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) proposed an amendment expressing the sense of Congress that MDMA “should be recognized as a treatment” for PTSD and require the VA to create a plan if approved by the FDA.
– Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) proposed an amendment that would have expanded the DOD’s existing psychedelics study provisions to create a grant program to fund research investigating the therapeutic utility of psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
– House Veterans Affairs Chair Mark Takano (D-CA) proposed an amendment establishing a medical cannabis pilot program for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system.
You can read the full list from Marijuana Moment here.
Though these amendments were blocked from advancing, it is clear there is still strong support from both parties for marijuana reform initiatives.
With continued advocacy from members of Congress, it is possible that these initiatives may gain traction and eventually be included in the final version of the NDAA. This would provide much-needed relief to veterans suffering from PTSD and other conditions who are unable to access conventional treatments or medications.
It could also open up new avenues for research into psychedelics as potential treatments for mental health issues. The future looks hopeful with continued dialogue on marijuana reform.
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