Veterans CARE Act
Bill: H.R.2932 | Sponsor: Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette (R-IA)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Veterans Cannabis Analysis, Research, and Effectiveness Act or the Veterans CARE Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct and support research on the efficacy and safety of certain forms of cannabis and cannabis delivery for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system and diagnosed with conditions such as chronic pain or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Collected data shall be preserved in a manner that facilitates further research.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct and support 
  research on the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Cannabis Analysis, 
Research, and Effectiveness Act'' or the ``Veterans CARE Act''.

SEC. 2. CONDUCT OF RESEARCH INTO EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON HEALTH OUTCOMES 
              OF CERTAIN VETERANS.

    (a) Research.--In carrying out the responsibilities of the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 7303 of title 38, United 
States Code, the Secretary shall conduct and support research relating 
to the efficacy and safety of forms of cannabis described in subsection 
(c) on the health outcomes of covered veterans diagnosed with chronic 
pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions the 
Secretary determines appropriate. The Secretary shall ensure that such 
research is conducted in accordance with applicable regulations 
relating to the oversight of research, including such regulations 
prescribed by the Office of Research and Development of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services 
(including through the National Institute on Drug Abuse), the Food and 
Drug Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the 
National Institutes of Health.
    (b) Data Preservation.--Research conducted pursuant to subsection 
(a) shall include a mechanism to ensure the preservation of all data, 
including all data sets, collected or used for purposes of the research 
required by subsection (a) in a manner that will facilitate further 
research.
    (c) Forms of Cannabis To Be Researched.--The forms of cannabis 
described in this subsection are--
            (1) varying forms of cannabis, including--
                    (A) full plants and extracts;
                    (B) at least three different strains of cannabis 
                with significant variants in phenotypic traits and 
                various ratios of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol 
                in chemical composition; and
                    (C) other chemical analogs of tetrahydrocannabinol; 
                and
            (2) varying methods of cannabis delivery, including topical 
        application, combustible and non-combustible inhalation, and 
        ingestion.
    (d) Implementation.--In conducting and supporting research under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
            (1) before conducting and supporting such research, develop 
        a plan to implement this section and submit such plan to the 
        Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives 
        and the Senate; and
            (2) issue any requests for proposals the Secretary 
        determines appropriate for such implementation.
    (e) Reports.--During the five-year period beginning on the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit periodically, but 
not less frequently than annually, to the Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate reports on the 
implementation of this section.
    (f) Covered Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered 
veteran'' means a veteran who is enrolled in the patient enrollment 
system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of 
title 38, United States Code.
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