Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, I think it is important to make clear that this debate is not about whether veterans in a State where it is legal can get access to marijuana. It is not even about whether doctors at the VA can communicate about those options with their patients because they can. VA already does that. We allowed that several years ago. What it does do and what this debate is about is to ensure that because marijuana is still an illegal substance under Federal law, if we allow this amendment to pass, it would potentially put VA employees, healthcare providers and other VA employees at risk of DEA enforcement actions. That is not something that we can change with this amendment, no matter how much you might want to have this amendment move forward. While some States might have legalized marijuana for medical purposes and allow physicians to prescribe it to patients, VA providers are still subject to Federal enforcement actions through the Drug Enforcement Administration. The VA has policies in place prohibiting physicians from completing forms, not from communicating with their patients, and they can't register veterans in a State medical marijuana program themselves. However, veterans certainly can register themselves to do that.…”