VA Head David Shulkin Opens Door to Medical Marijuana

Dr. David Shulkin, Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), held a live press briefing at the White House on May 31 in which he opened the door to the possibility of the VA researching medical marijuana or prescribing it to veterans who’d benefit from it.

Shulkin illuminated current VA policy on medical marijuana, acknowledging that discussion of medical marijuana use is not prohibited by VA practitioners, but that prescribing it is, since marijuana is still illegal under federal law. He also acknowledged there "may be evidence" marijuana has medical uses and urged Congress to engage in that discussion so the VA can optimally care for veterans.

The American Legion published an impassioned plea for the federal government to change the classification of marijuana from being a Schedule I substance, like heroin, that is highly addictive and has no potential medical use. They call for its classification as a Schedule II substance, which keeps it highly regulated but allows it to be assessed for medical uses. They point to the explosion of opioid abuse across the country, and that problems often begin with Schedule II painkillers that the VA frequently prescribes:

"despite considerable evidence to the contrary, the U.S. persists in listing cannabis alongside heroin, LSD, and ecstasy, as a Schedule I substance with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. By comparison, many of the highly addictive medications frequently prescribed to veterans are a direct pathway to the abuse of cocaine derivatives, methamphetamine, methadone, Demerol, oxycodone and, fentanyl that are classified as Schedule II drugs. These widely over-prescribed, powerful, and dangerous substances are currently fueling today’s opioid and heroin epidemics in America.”

They call the continued classification of marijuana as Schedule I, therefore, "disingenuous."

There are federal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who agree, and are pushing legislation to reclassify marijuana. Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz (R) and Darren Soto (D) have proposed legislation that would leapfrog over Schedule II and reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III substance, like anabolic steroids. They argue that Schedule III, a classification reserved for substances with "a potential for abuse less than substances in Schedules I or II [where] abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence," would remove barriers for researchers.

Members of Oregon’s congressional delegation, including Democrats Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, took things a step further with a collection of three bills that would drastically liberalize federal marijuana law. Sen. Wyden referred to the bills as a "three-step approach [that] will spur job growth and boost our economy all while ensuring the industry is being held to a fair standard."

All together the bills would remove marijuana from the list of federally banned drugs and allow it to be taxed and regulated like alcohol; repeal federal criminal penalties related to marijuana in states where individuals or businesses are following the applicable state laws; and allow marijuana businesses to claim tax credits.

Shulkin’s willingness to consider changes to federal law around medical marijuana puts him, as well as the lawmakers supporting the preceding bills, in direct opposition with Attorney General Jeff Sessions who has said in recent months:

"marijuana is against federal law, and that applies in states where they may have repealed their own anti-marijuana laws...I’m not in favor of legalization of marijuana. I think it’s a more dangerous drug than a lot of people realize."

President Trump, however, pledged strong support for veterans in his campaign. Now the question is whether or not changes to federal marijuana law, which would allow veterans to have their treatments prescribed and covered by the VA, qualifies as veteran support. Many veterans hope so.

Should Congress reclassify marijuana according to federal law so that it can be available to veterans for medical purposes? Use the Take Action button to tell your reps what you think!

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— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Max Pixel / Creative Commons)