In the national conversation surrounding medical cannabis, few issues are more emotionally charged than the fight for veteran access through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Many former service members struggle with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other conditions stemming from their service. While many find relief with medical cannabis in states where it’s legal, VA policies rooted in federal law continue to block or complicate that access. The conflict between state legalization and federal prohibition has left veterans in a legal and medical limbo.
VA Policy and Restrictions
Cannabis remains a Schedule I substance under federal law, prohibiting its prescription or recommendation in federal healthcare systems. As a result, VA doctors cannot recommend or assist veterans in joining state-approved medical cannabis programs. This restriction is outlined in VHA Directive 1315, which allows providers only to discuss cannabis use—not support it.
The VA does assure veterans they won’t lose access to benefits for participating in legal cannabis programs and encourages open discussions about use with their clinicians. However, it will not pay for cannabis or help veterans with program registration. For many, this results in a frustrating contradiction: they can legally use medical cannabis in their state, but not with the guidance or support of their VA doctor.
Legislative Efforts and Pushback
Congress has repeatedly introduced legislation to bridge this divide. Bills such as the Veterans Equal Access Act, the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act, and the Veterans CARE (Cannabis Analysis, Research, and Effectiveness) Act aim to reform VA policy, protect veterans from losing benefits, and expand medical research into cannabis use for service-related conditions.
In 2024 and 2025, both the House and Senate advanced amendments to allow VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis where it’s legal. Although promising, these measures have yet to become law. Many die during budget negotiations or face opposition tied to broader debates about federal drug policy. For now, reforms remain largely symbolic—signs of growing support but not yet binding policy.
Advocates argue that change must begin at the federal level. As long as cannabis remains Schedule I, VA providers risk violating federal law by engaging in medical cannabis programs, no matter what state laws permit.
The Veteran Community’s Demand
Groups like Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access (VMCA) continue to lead the charge for reform. They argue that veterans deserve the same access to cannabis as civilians, particularly those seeking alternatives to opioids. Many veterans report that cannabis helps manage chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety without the heavy side effects of prescription medications.
Data supports the growing trend. A 2019 national survey found that nearly 10% of veterans had used cannabis in the past year, and rates are even higher among those with PTSD. The VA has acknowledged these trends, offering resources to discuss Cannabis Use Disorder while maintaining its prohibition on medical recommendations.
A 2025 JAMA Network Open study showed 14% of veterans aged 65 to 84 had used cannabis within the past year—primarily for pain and sleep issues. However, over one-third of those users met the criteria for cannabis use disorder, highlighting the need for responsible medical guidance that many veterans currently lack under VA policy.
The Path Forward
The most significant obstacle to reform remains cannabis’s Schedule I classification. Rescheduling or descheduling would open the door for VA doctors to recommend cannabis without fear of legal repercussions. In the meantime, incremental reforms—like legislative protections allowing open patient-provider dialogue—offer temporary relief but not full access.
Advocates also call for more VA-sponsored research to clarify cannabis’s medical value and safe use. Studies under the Veterans CARE Act could help bridge the evidence gap and reduce stigma among healthcare professionals. Some suggest pilot programs within VA hospitals in legal states as a testing ground for broader reform.
A Continuing Battle
For now, veterans remain caught between conflicting systems—state laws that recognize cannabis as medicine and federal laws that do not. The demand for reform is clear, and public support continues to grow. Yet until federal cannabis policy evolves, the VA’s hands remain tied, and veterans must navigate a patchwork of legality that undermines consistent care.
The fight for access is not just about cannabis—it’s about the right of those who served to pursue safe, effective treatment without fear of losing the benefits they earned. For many, the battle for cannabis access has become an extension of their service: another mission, this time for healing and recognition at home.
