Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act

Bill: 116-hr-2191
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Introduced: 2019-04-09
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Health care coverage and access

Health information and medical records

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2019-04-30
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-04-09
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act</b></p> <p>This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from denying a veteran any VA benefit due to participation in a state-approved marijuana program. For veterans participating in these approved programs, the VA must ensure its health care providers (1) discuss marijuana use with such veterans and adjust treatment plans accordingly, and (2) record such use in the veterans' medical records.</p> <p>Under the bill, the VA shall authorize physicians and other VA health care providers to provide recommendations to veterans who are residents of states with approved programs.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2191 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 9, 2019 Mr. Steube (for himself and Mr. Cisneros ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from denying a veteran benefits administered by the Secretary by reason of the veteran participating in a State-approved marijuana program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act . 2. Veteran participation in State-approved marijuana programs (a) Provision of benefits Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not deny a veteran any benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary by reason of the veteran participating in a State-approved marijuana program. (b) Consultation With respect to a veteran who is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and participates in a State-approved marijuana program, the Secretary shall ensure that physicians and other health care providers of the Veterans Health Administration— (1) discuss marijuana use with the veteran and adjust medical treatment plans accordingly; and (2) record such use in the medical records of the veteran. (c) Provision of information Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall authorize physicians and other health care providers of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs to— (1) provide recommendations and opinions to veterans who are residents of States with State-approved marijuana programs regarding the participation of veterans in such programs; and (2) complete forms reflecting such recommendations and opinions. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term marijuana has the meaning given the term marihuana in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 802 ). (2) The term State has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.