Will Rescheduling Marijuana Help Veterans Access It?

Dear Stoner: How will marijuana rescheduling impact veterans? If it’s approved, would I be able to get medical marijuana from the VA? Would my benefits still be at risk if I smoked weed?
Shawn

Dear Shawn: A lot remains to be seen with federally reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to III – including whether it actually happens. President Joe Biden and his administration may have endorsed the process, but it’s already been pushed back to 2025, and Biden will be out of the White House by then. And even under Biden, the DEA has been criticized for delaying the process and giving anti-cannabis groups an unfair platform at an upcoming (and unscheduled) hearing on potential rescheduling, while no veterans’ rights group is among the 25 hearing participants.

Nobody knows how a Schedule III designation will change cannabis policy across the board, but the Department of Veterans Affairs won’t be jumping to prescribe medical marijuana. VA officials have already taken the “more research is needed” approach when asked about rescheduling, so insurance won’t cover your cannabis purchases any time soon, either. However, the department has said that a vet’s cannabis use won’t impact access to VA benefits and health care, and that former service members can discuss cannabis use with VA providers.

Send questions to marijuana@westword.com.