J. Correa (D-CA)
VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a study and clinical trials regarding the effects of cannabis on veterans diagnosed with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. Under Section 2, the Department of Veterans Affairs must conduct a large-scale, mixed methods, retrospective, and observational study lasting 18 months to examine both positive and negative health outcomes of cannabis use. Section 3 mandates that the Secretary carry out a series of clinical trials on cannabis, provided the initial study reports that the criteria to proceed are met. Section 4 ensures that a veteran's participation in these studies or trials will not affect their eligibility or entitlement to any other benefits. Finally, Section 5 provides definitions for key terms used throughout the legislation, such as covered veteran and the Secretary.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +7
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct comprehensive studies and clinical trials regarding cannabis use and its health outcomes for veterans.
- Scored +7
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill directly investigates therapeutic options for veterans with chronic pain and PTSD while protecting their existing benefits and data privacy.
- Scored +6
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill directs studies and clinical trials on cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain among veterans, which can improve mental health treatment options.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Benefits: Under Section 4(d), a veteran's eligibility or entitlement to any other benefits administered by the Secretary or under any other provision of law will not be affected by their participation in the study or clinical trials. This is positive because it ensures veterans do not risk losing their current benefits just for helping the government research cannabis.
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Anonymity of Participant Data: Under Section 4(c), the Secretary must ensure that all data related to any study or clinical trial is anonymized and cannot be traced back to an individual patient. This protects the privacy and personal information of the veterans who take part in the research.
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Diverse Demographic Representation: Under Section 4(a), the Secretary must ensure that the demographics of the veterans in the study and trials represent the actual population of veterans in the United States, based on Census Bureau data. This ensures fairness and that results reflect a diverse group of people.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Risk of Trial Termination Due to Hazards: Under Section 3(e)(1), the Secretary is explicitly allowed to terminate the clinical trials if it is determined that the trials would create excessive risk to the participants. While stopping dangerous trials protects people, the existence of this provision highlights the inherent physical risks and negative health burdens that participants might face during the research.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct comprehensive studies and clinical trials regarding cannabis use and its health outcomes for veterans. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill directs studies and clinical trials on cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain among veterans, which can improve mental health treatment options. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill mandates large-scale observational studies and clinical trials examining the health impacts of cannabis, effectively directing research efforts and resources into the area. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The required studies specifically evaluate the reduction or increase in opiate use and dosage among veterans as a result of cannabis use. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By investigating alternative treatments for chronic pain and PTSD, the bill expands the scope of clinical knowledge and potential therapeutic options available within veterans' healthcare.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill directly investigates therapeutic options for veterans with chronic pain and PTSD while protecting their existing benefits and data privacy. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Veterans managing chronic pain and debilitating conditions stand to benefit from research into alternative symptom-management treatments. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Older veterans suffering from chronic pain and related conditions may benefit from the insights gained through expanded medicinal research.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill requires that all data collected from the study and clinical trials be strictly anonymized so that it cannot be traced back to individual patients. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit periodic and final reports to congressional committees detailing the findings and implementation of the studies.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The legislation mandates extensive scientific research, observational studies, and clinical trials regarding the medicinal effects of cannabis.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Section 4 explicitly ensures that a veteran's participation in the cannabis study or clinical trials will not affect their eligibility or entitlement to any other benefits.
- 11/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/14/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 10/1/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Val HoyleDemocrat · Oregon
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada