logo

Gabbard Says Her Bill Would Give Wounded Vets Exactly What They Need

image
Created: 06 June, 2017
Updated: 17 October, 2022
2 min read

US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard continues to fight for marijuana decriminalization. She shared an article from the American Legion Monday, which makes the case for medical marijuana for wounded vets.

Gabbard says the American Legion is right and her bill, HR 1227, "would help veterans get the treatment they need." 

https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/871760769221894145

Medical marijuana is still illegal in the US, though several states (29 states and DC) have laws on the books that legalize it within their own jurisdictions. Gabbard wants to change this with her bill, "Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017." (HR 1227)

https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/863184617540534272

HR 1227 removes marijuana from Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. The Schedule I classification not only makes it illegal for recreational and medicinal use, it also places heavy restrictions on researching the medical benefits of cannabis.

READ MORE: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Stands up for States’ Rights on Weed

For instance, in order to comply with federal restrictions, researchers have to source their samples from one place: The University of Mississippi. This gives the university a monopoly over the cultivation of cannabis for research purposes.

"For nearly 90 years, the federal government has deliberately hindered medical research into therapeutic aspects of cannabis, and veterans struggling with PTSD and TBI today are suffering because of this misguided policy," writes Joe Plenzler, director of media relations for the American Legion national headquarters in Washington, D.C.

More Choice for San Diego

It is not just veterans, however. Americans who suffer from a variety of medical issues -- from epilepsy to chronic pain to cancer treatment -- could potentially benefit from the decriminalization of cannabis.

https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/858014491946176513

HR 1227 was introduced back in February. Gabbard sponsored the bill along with Republican US Rep. Scott Taylor (R-Va.). There are 10 additional cosponsors from both sides of the aisle.

However, despite the bipartisan support, the bill is currently stalled in the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, where it has been since March 16.

Photo Credit: BestStockFoto / shutterstock.com

Latest articles

A wide shot of an Alaska city.
In a True Nail-Biter, Alaska Voters Reject Repeal of Top 4 Primary and Ranked Choice Voting
Two weeks after Election Day, Alaska voters finally know the fate of their election system. The choice before them was keep the nonpartisan Top 4 primary system with ranked choice voting in the general election or go back to partisan control over elections....
21 November, 2024
-
5 min read
Coin with Trump's face on it.
How Will the New Government Affect Independent Voters' Finances?
My rates! What happened to my rates? Partisan and independent voters ranked the economy the most important issue in the 2024 election....
20 November, 2024
-
9 min read
An elephant and donkey facing each other on a red bar.
Understanding The ‘Other Side’ Is More Important Than Ever
For some of us, just reading the title of this piece may be irritating — even maddening. If you’re scared about Trump’s election, being asked to understand the “other side” can seem a distant concern compared to your fears of what might happen during his presidency....
20 November, 2024
-
4 min read