The bipartisan Congress is looking to use the must-pass Defense Bill as a vehicle for advancing a number drug policy reforms, including provisions that would expand access to medical cannabis for veterans, facilitate rescheduling certain psychedelics, and protect people against being denied security clearances because of marijuana.
Over 1,400 amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act have been submitted so far. As is tradition, the members hope that the legislation can be used to implement drug policy reforms after Congress reconvenes following the Fourth of July recess.
Some of the amendments you’re familiar with, like one that allows doctors at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states where it is legal. This is also a subject of separate legislation that’s sponsored by members of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.
Some are more innovative. There are, for example, amendments by Rep. Ken Buck(R-CO), which would promote MDMA assisted therapy for veterans.
In order for the amendments to the large defense legislation to be considered on the House floor, they must be in accordance with the House Rules Committee. The House Armed Services Committee already amended the bill to include two provisions relating to medical cannabis and psychoactive substances .
The psychedelics bill from Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-TX, is already part of the legislation following committee action. Under this measure, the Defense Secretary would be required by law to conduct a clinical study into the therapeutic effects of psychedelics on active duty servicemen with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries.
The clinical trials must involve psilocybin or MDMA. Ibogaine, DMT, and ibogaine would also be acceptable. Within one year after the legislation’s enactment, the secretary must provide lawmakers with information on the results of the trials. Several of the most recent revisions to NDAA are aimed at further amending this language.
The cannabis amendment, which has been added to the committee’s call for a medical cannabis pilot program at the Defense Department that will examine the health effects of marijuana use among veterans and servicemen who are VA recipients, is also being considered. The VA participant must have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or depression, or prescribed pain medication to be eligible for this program.
The House Rules Committee has received the following amendments to the NDAA:
Rep. Robert Garcia (D – CA ): Prevent the denial or security clearances to defense workers solely based on the use of marijuana, if it is legal in the state.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R – FL ): Do not require drug tests for marijuana for military recruitment.
Reps. Reps.
Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Earl Blumenauer, (DOR) and Jason Crow, (DCO): Require that the Defense Secretary develop a plan for providing reenlistment exemptions to servicemen who test positive for THC.
Reps. Mikie Sherrill, Earl Blumenauer, Dina Titus, Jasmine Moskowitz, Salud Carbajal and Rick Larsen are all Democrats. The same sponsors also submitted a second amendment that had a similar goal.
Reps. Reps.
Rep. Rep. Crenshaw is also sponsoring a separate bill to this effect.
Rep. Rep.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, (D-MI),: The defense department should be required to present its findings regarding the psychedelics tests that would have to be conducted under the bill. This information must go to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Health and Human Services and the relevant congressional committees.
Rep. Ken Buck (R – CO ):) One amendment would express “the sense of Congress” that MDMA should “be recognized as a therapy” for PTSD, and require the VA head to create a “plan for such a treatment” if FDA approved its use. The second amendment expresses the same sentiment as the first, but it does not contain the VA action item.
Reps. Reps.
Rep. Rep.
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R – WI ):) Authorize the use military resources to fight illegal drug trafficking along the U.S. – Mexico border.
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The final deal for last year did not include two psychedelics provisions from the House version of the NDAA. However, the lawmakers were able to secure a report that instructed the secretary of defence to conduct a research on “the feasibility and advisability” of using certain pharmacologic therapies or potential plant-based treatments as an alternative to prescription opioids to treat PTSD, TBI or chronic pain.
To the dismay of marijuana advocates and stakeholders, a number of other marijuana-related items were also excluded. This included an attempt to pass cannabis bank reform through the must-pass defence bill.
Separately the Senate Appropriations Committee released a recent report for a budget bill which calls on VA for medical marijuana access to veterans and explores the therapeutic potential of psychoedelics.
Senators Want Marijuana Banking to be Voted On This Month in Committee. Republican Sponsor is ‘Open’ to Including Expungements
Image element provided by Kristie Gianpulos.
The article Bipartisan Congressional lawmakers File Numerous Marijuana and Psychedelics Amendements To Must-Pass Defense Bill first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
