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I
116TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. R. 2191
To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from denying a veteran benefits
administered by the Secretary by reason of the veteran participating
in a State-approved marijuana program, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 9, 2019
Mr. STEUBE (for himself and Mr. CISNEROS) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from denying
a veteran benefits administered by the Secretary by rea-
son of the veteran participating in a State-approved
marijuana program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
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tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
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This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans Cannabis Use
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for Safe Healing Act’’.
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SEC. 2. VETERAN PARTICIPATION IN STATE-APPROVED
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MARIJUANA PROGRAMS.
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(a) PROVISION OF BENEFITS.—Notwithstanding any
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other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
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may not deny a veteran any benefit under the laws admin-
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istered by the Secretary by reason of the veteran partici-
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pating in a State-approved marijuana program.
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(b) CONSULTATION.—With respect to a veteran who
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is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment under sec-
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tion 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and participates
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in a State-approved marijuana program, the Secretary
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shall ensure that physicians and other health care pro-
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viders of the Veterans Health Administration—
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(1) discuss marijuana use with the veteran and
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adjust medical treatment plans accordingly; and
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(2) record such use in the medical records of
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the veteran.
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(c) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—Notwithstanding
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any other provision of law, the Secretary shall authorize
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physicians and other health care providers of the Veterans
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Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Af-
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fairs to—
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(1) provide recommendations and opinions to
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veterans who are residents of States with State-ap-
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proved marijuana programs regarding the participa-
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tion of veterans in such programs; and
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(2) complete forms reflecting such recommenda-
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tions and opinions.
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(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
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(1) The term ‘‘marijuana’’ has the meaning
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given the term ‘‘marihuana’’ in section 102 of the
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Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802).
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(2) The term ‘‘State’’ has the meaning given
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that term in section 101 of title 38, United States
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Code.
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Æ
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