WASHINGTON — On Thursday, Congress provided a government spending package to President Obama which was intentionally and fully stripped of all language which would allow Veterans Health Administration doctors to fill out the forms necessary for veterans to acquire marijuana in states that allow its medical use. President Obama signed the package.

Current research, including those conducted in-house by the Weed for Warriors Project, illuminate that jurisdictions with medical marijuana laws have fewer opioid overdoses and lower veteran suicide statistics.

Nevertheless, cannabis remains illegal federally and over 22 veterans commit suicide a day due to opioid overdoes. In an effort to combat this issue, the VA proscribes “eligible” veterans Marinol which is a form of synthetic marijuana, but does not discuss treatment options using the natural plant.

In a series of governmental short falls, cannabis regulation has been federally avoided despite adjoining legislation passing both the House and Senate.

Across the country, veterans are infuriated by insensitive and discriminatory comments against disabled veterans who currently receive medical cannabis treatment. A leading member of the conference committee that removed the cannabis amendment, Republican Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, infuriated pot advocates saying earlier this year “I don’t think we have too few high veterans out there.”

After the signature of Thursday’s package, veteran Sean Kiernan and President of the Weed for Warriors Project stated that, “this level of deception is hurtful and a slap in the face to America’s veterans battling medical aliments, disability and suicidal inclination to keep their families in tact by all means.”

The complex nature of the legislative process has veterans, their families, and political journalists alike confused on how cannabis legislation can pass both houses of Congress and never reach the president’s desk. “Ultimately, a few members of Congress have conspired to further distance the federal government from cannabis regulation and the much needed medical support veterans deserve,” said Kiernan.

“Veterans, minorities, and those in medical need across the nation are suffering & dying due to the inability of our elected leaders to unite as a country and universally promote the passage of knowledge, initiate effective drug policy, and display genuine compassion when it comes to medical cannabis,” said veteran & attorney Brandon L. Wyatt, national policy spokesman for the Weed for Warriors Project.

“I took an oath to leave no solider behind, we are ready for this fight on every front, from the courtroom to Congress, and on the Trump/ Hillary campaign trail,” said Wyatt. – Brandon Wyatt