VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2026

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to run an 18-month observational study, starting within 180 days of enactment, on how cannabis use affects the health of enrolled veterans with chronic pain or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study would use VA health and benefits records, interviews, and surveys, and would compare outcomes such as opioid and alcohol use, sleep, quality of life, and mortality. If the VA reports it can meet the needed criteria, it would then carry out clinical trials on different forms of cannabis, including plants with varying THC-to-CBD ratios, and report to Congress at least once a year for five years. Study data would have to be anonymized and preserved for further research, and taking part would not affect a veteran's other benefits.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• J. Luis Correa Democrat sponsor
• 4 cosponsors