April 26, 2023

Wyden Statement on Senate Republicans Blocking Veterans Bill Over Cannabis Research Provisions

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after a group of Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan veterans bill over provisions requiring the U.S. Department of Affairs (VA) to study medical cannabis to help veterans suffering from PTSD:

"This group of Senate Republicans is so caught up in 'reefer madness' they chose to deny health care and other essential benefits for our veterans, all because they don't want the VA to research cannabis. It's truly cruel and sick the lengths they will go to prop up failed cannabis prohibition. The facts remain: medical cannabis is legal in almost every state, anecdotal evidence shows it can help treat veterans suffering from PTSD, and research led by the VA is the best way to get the information needed to help heal these wounded warriors. Partisan efforts to block important research harm veterans by putting politics over people and science."