On March 9, 2026, veterans groups testified before both the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees, urging lawmakers to expand access to cannabis and psychedelics to address the veteran suicide crisis. It was one of the most powerful days of testimony Congress has seen on the issue — and it could finally move the needle on federal cannabis reform.
What Veterans Told Congress
Representatives from multiple veterans organizations — including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America — told lawmakers that cannabis and psilocybin therapies are saving lives. They described veterans who found relief from PTSD, chronic pain, and traumatic brain injuries after conventional VA treatments failed them.
The testimony centered on the Veterans CARE Act, which would require the VA to conduct clinical research on medicinal cannabis for PTSD and chronic pain. A companion bill would fund psychedelic-assisted therapy programs at VA medical centers across the country.
Why This Matters Now
An average of 17 veterans die by suicide every day in the United States. That number has remained stubbornly consistent for over a decade despite billions in VA mental health spending. Veterans and their advocates argue that the current system simply is not working — and that cannabis and psychedelic therapies represent a proven alternative that the federal government continues to ignore.
What makes this push different from previous efforts is the bipartisan support. Republican and Democratic lawmakers on both committees expressed sympathy for the testimony. When veterans speak, Congress listens in ways it does not for other advocacy groups.
The Bills in Play
- Veterans CARE Act — Requires VA research on cannabis for PTSD and chronic pain
- Veterans Psilocybin Therapy Act — Funds psychedelic-assisted therapy at VA centers
- SAFE Banking Act — Would allow cannabis businesses to access banking, indirectly helping veteran-owned dispensaries
None of these bills are guaranteed to pass, but the combination of veteran advocacy, bipartisan interest, and growing public support for cannabis reform creates the strongest window for action we have seen in years.
What You Can Do
If you support veteran access to cannabis and psychedelic therapies, contact your representatives. The Veterans CARE Act needs co-sponsors in both chambers. You can also support organizations like Veterans Cannabis Project and MAPS that are doing the research and advocacy work on the ground.
The veterans who testified this week did not ask for special treatment. They asked for access to treatments that work. It is past time Congress listened.