Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy and his leadership.

I am proud to lead this amendment with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Joyce), and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) to inject some sanity into our medical marijuana approach.

Veterans in Oregon and across the country have shared powerful stories with me about how medical cannabis has saved their lives and given them relief from wounds of war seen and unseen. These veterans have also shared their fear about what would happen if they worked with the VA doctors to incorporate their cannabis use into their treatment plans.

The VA denies veterans access to this care option by preventing providers from completing forms in compliance with State medical marijuana programs. This is a shameful disservice to the men and women who put their lives on the line. The VA is forcing veterans to seek care outside the VA or self-medicate.

Our veterans are paying the price for Congress' failure to act. That is why I am proud to join Representative Mast in leading the Veterans Equal Access Act and why I call on my colleagues to support this amendment. Simple justice for our veterans.

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