[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 64 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. DINA TITUS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2015

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2029) making 
     appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes:

  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this amendment, of 
which I am a proud cosponsor.
  As a Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I regularly 
speak with both VA medical professionals and patients about advances in 
care for our nation's heroes.
  The limited research that has been allowed to be conducted has shown 
very promising results on the use of medical marijuana for the 
treatment of conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
  Nearly 1 of 5 veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is 
diagnosed with PTSD and we have seen a skyrocketing rate of overuse and 
addiction of powerful painkillers being used to treat such illnesses.
  Giving medical professionals additional tools to treat these serious 
ailments is not just commonsense, it is the right thing to do.
  Often times we hear elected officials come to the well of the House 
and speak about their commitment to our servicemembers and veterans. 
Today we have an opportunity to do more than offer platitudes, we can 
offer relief: relief from the pain and suffering associated with PTSD; 
relief from a medical system with little to offer as alternative 
treatments to powerful and addictive painkillers; relief from the fear 
of being penalized for using medical marijuana prescribed by a private 
doctor; and relief to VA medical professionals in the 36 states, 
including Nevada and Washington D.C. where medical marijuana is legal, 
allowing them to utilize their medical judgement to determine the best 
treatment options for their patients.
  Forcing the 225,000 veterans who call Nevada home and millions across 
the country to go outside the VA health system to seek treatment, 
without the supervision and guidance of the medical professionals who 
understand the specific needs of our veteran community, is 
irresponsible.
  I call on my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan 
amendment and stand up for our brave men and women who bear the scars 
of war and who so desperately need our support.

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