[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E78]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF THE VA MEDICINAL CANNABIS RESEARCH ACT

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                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2019

  Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I have met with multiple veterans in my 
congressional district who attest to the therapeutic benefits of 
medical cannabis in managing their pain.
  According to the American Legion, a significant number of veterans 
across the country--not just in my district--are currently using 
medical cannabis as an alternative treatment. With so many veterans 
using cannabis for therapeutic purposes, it is important that 
physicians have the information and research necessary to fully advice 
on the potential impacts of medical cannabis usage on post-traumatic 
stress and chronic pain. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is 
uniquely positioned to pursue that vital research.
  To that end, I am introducing the bipartisan VA Medicinal Cannabis 
Research Act, which requires VA to conduct clinical research on the 
safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis, in varying forms and 
delivery methods, for treating veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic 
stress disorder (PTSD) and veterans with chronic pain. The legislation 
requires VA to submit annual reports to Congress on the implementation 
of this bill for five years. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act is 
a pragmatic and sensible approach to the need for additional research 
and could potentially save veterans' lives

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