J. Luis Correa

10/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/01/2026 12:44

CORREA, BERGMAN INTRODUCE BILL TO FIND ALTERNATIVES FOR DANGEROUS OPIOIDS HARMING VETERAN COMMUNITIES

Washington, DC - Today, Congressmen Lou Correa (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI) reintroduced the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act. The bipartisan legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct clinical research on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in treating veterans' post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain.
"With the opioid crisis raging across America, it is imperative to the health and safety of our veterans that we find alternative treatments for chronic pain and service-related injuries," said Correa. "Throughout my district, I consistently meet veterans who depend on cannabis to manage their pain. Numerous veterans attest to the treatment benefits of medical cannabis. It's time the VA did a formal study and began recognizing that cannabis can play a safe role in our veterans' healthcare."
The bill would:
  • Authorize VA to implement a comprehensive research plan, including clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis in treating chronic pain and PTSD.
  • Expand research into related factors in veterans' health, including improvements to mood and social functioning, impacts on other substance use, and overall quality of life.
  • Require clinical trials to examine different forms, potencies, and methods of cannabis administration, with veterans' health and safety prioritized throughout.

"Veterans struggling with PTSD and chronic pain deserve access to treatments backed by sound science and rigorous research. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act will help us better understand whether medicinal cannabis can provide safe and effective relief while ensuring Veterans' health and safety remain the top priority. We owe it to our Veterans to explore every responsible avenue that could improve their quality of life," said Bergman.

Chronic pain affects one in five Americans and impacts veterans at a higher rate than the general population. Twenty-three percent of veterans receiving VA care have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives, and the two conditions are often linked - veterans with chronic pain have elevated rates of PTSD. This bill would mandate research that could lead to safer, more effective treatment options for veterans managing these conditions.
"Since 2017, IAVA has made empowering veterans who are calling for the medicinal use of cannabis one of our top priorities. Our members have said consistently and passionately that cannabis offers real help with the most pressing injuries we face when we come home, from chronic pain to PTSD to traumatic brain injury. Our national policies are lagging, research is lacking, and the stigma persists. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act is how we start to change that. Every solution begins with research, and veterans have waited long enough for it," said Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).
"The VFW supports the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023," said Pat Murray, Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). "VFW members tell us that medicinal cannabis has helped them cope with chronic pain and other service-connected health conditions. They cannot receive these services at VA because of VA's bureaucratic hurdles. VA uses evidence-based clinical guidelines to manage other pharmacological treatments of post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, and substance use disorder because medical trials have found them effective. VA must expand research on the efficacy of non-traditional medical therapies, such as medicinal cannabis and other holistic approaches."
View the bill text HERE.
J. Luis Correa published this content on October 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 01, 2026 at 18:44 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]