VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-326
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2023-02-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Congressional oversight
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Medical research
Mental health
Neurological disorders
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-09
text: 

VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study the effects of cannabis on veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or chronic pain (i.e., eligible veterans).
 
First, the bill requires the VA to conduct an observational, 18-month study on the effects of cannabis on the health outcomes of eligible veterans. The VA must report on the study and address whether it is able to meet criteria necessary to conduct clinical trials.
 
Then, if the VA determines that it is able to proceed, it must carry out a series of clinical trials on the effects of cannabis appropriate for investigational use, as determined by the Food and Drug Administration, on the outcomes of eligible veterans. The VA must carry out a long-term observational study of the clinical trial participants.
 
The VA may terminate the trials if it is unable to meet clinical guideline requirements or the trials would create excessive risk to participants.
 
The VA must ensure that the study and trials are representative of the demographics of veterans in the United States, as determined by the most recent data from the American Community Survey of the Bureau of the Census.
 
The study and trials must include mechanisms to ensure data preservation and registration as necessary (in an anonymous form).

action_date: 2023-03-23
text: 

VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study the effects of cannabis on veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or chronic pain (i.e., eligible veterans).
 
First, the bill requires the VA to conduct an observational, 18-month study on the effects of cannabis on the health outcomes of eligible veterans. The VA must report on the study and address whether it is able to meet criteria necessary to conduct clinical trials.
 
Then, if the VA determines that it is able to proceed, it must carry out a series of clinical trials on the effects of cannabis appropriate for investigational use, as determined by the Food and Drug Administration, on the outcomes of eligible veterans. The VA must carry out a long-term observational study of the clinical trial participants.
 
The VA may terminate the trials if it is unable to meet clinical guideline requirements or the trials would create excessive risk to participants.
 
The VA must ensure that the study and trials are representative of the demographics of veterans in the United States, as determined by the most recent data from the American Community Survey of the Bureau of the Census.
 
The study and trials must include mechanisms to ensure data preservation and registration as necessary (in an anonymous form).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-26
text: Motion by Senator Schumer to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 326 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 97) entered in Senate.
action_date: 2023-04-26
text: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57 - 42. Record Vote Number: 97.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S1286)
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate.
action_date: 2023-03-23
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 32.
action_date: 2023-03-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-03-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-02-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-09
text: Introduced in Senate