In a major bipartisan win for veterans and drug policy reform, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to allow Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend medical marijuana to veterans and to promote further research into psychedelics as treatments for PTSD and other service-related conditions.
The measures were passed as amendments to the 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. They reflect growing momentum in Congress to modernize the way federal agencies approach cannabis and psychedelics—particularly in the context of veteran care.
Cannabis Access for Veterans
The first amendment, introduced by Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), would prohibit the VA from using funds to enforce internal rules that prevent doctors from discussing or recommending cannabis in states where it is legal. This would mark a significant shift from current VA policy, which has barred providers from offering advice on medical marijuana—even when it is legal at the state level.
Rep. Mast, a combat veteran himself, emphasized that veterans deserve full and honest medical conversations with their doctors, especially regarding options for pain management and mental health. He called it “unacceptable” that VA physicians are currently forced to stay silent on cannabis even when it could be therapeutic for their patients.
This amendment has passed in previous years in the House but has consistently failed to make it into final spending packages. Advocates are hopeful that changing national sentiment and growing bipartisan support will help carry it through the Senate this time.
Support for Psychedelic Research
A second amendment, led by Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI), also passed by voice vote. It would urge the VA to increase research into psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans, including the use of substances like psilocybin and MDMA in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders.
This reflects a broader trend in Congress, where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are warming to the idea that psychedelics could offer groundbreaking therapeutic value for hard-to-treat conditions. Studies and clinical trials, including those authorized by the FDA, have shown promising results, particularly for veterans with severe PTSD.
Supporters argue that these treatments should be researched, regulated, and—if proven effective—made available to those who served the country and now suffer from complex health conditions. They also note that VA-led research could set a gold standard for safety, efficacy, and responsible rollout of future therapies.
Next Steps and Outlook
While both amendments passed with strong support in the House, their future depends on whether they survive the appropriations process in the Senate and are included in the final bill. Lawmakers and advocates are urging constituents to voice support and keep pressure on federal decision-makers.
These votes come as more veterans groups, medical researchers, and state governments call for updated policies around cannabis and psychedelics. Veterans are disproportionately affected by chronic pain, PTSD, depression, and addiction—conditions that current treatments often fail to address effectively. For many, plant-based and psychedelic therapies offer hope.
The House vote represents a potentially transformative step toward a future where federal health agencies align more closely with emerging science and the lived experiences of veterans. If made law, the measures could empower thousands of VA physicians and unlock new tools in the fight for veterans’ health and healing.
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