A recent survey reveals that nearly six in 10 veterans and their family members believe that doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs should have the authority to recommend medical marijuana when appropriate. The poll underscores growing support for expanded access to cannabis-based therapies for veterans.
Survey Details
The survey, conducted by Mission Roll Call—a nonprofit representing veterans—gathered responses from nearly 2,000 participants across all 50 states. Around 95 percent of respondents were veterans or family members of veterans. The poll asked whether the VA should provide medical marijuana to eligible veterans, with 57 percent expressing support for that change. When asked about psychedelic treatments, 27 percent supported access to MDMA or psilocybin, 17 percent supported ketamine, and 12 percent supported esketamine under VA programs.
Comparing Support for Cannabis vs. Psychedelics
While a majority support medical marijuana access through the VA, enthusiasm for psychedelics is notably lower. Respondents favored psychedelic access far less, indicating that marijuana remains the most accepted form of novel treatment among veterans and their families.
Context from Previous Research
A separate 2023 survey by Ohio State University’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center found similar results. Approximately 60 percent of active-duty service members and veterans, and an even larger 85 percent of military family members, supported VA doctors being permitted to recommend medical marijuana if they believed it could benefit patients. That study also highlighted that support rises when doctors are trusted to make recommendations based on patient need, regardless of FDA approval status.
Legislative and Policy Developments
Congress has repeatedly considered measures to allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana. Bipartisan amendments in spending bills have passed committees in both the House and the Senate, urging the VA to permit physician recommendations for veterans in states where medical marijuana is legal. In June 2024, a Senate committee approved a measure preventing the VA from using funds to block doctors from completing forms or referring patients to state-approved marijuana programs. Advocates, including congressional lawmakers, continue to press VA leadership to revise its guidance and rescind policies that prohibit doctors from recommending cannabis.
Ongoing Barriers and Calls for Change
Despite growing legislative momentum, the VA’s internal directive remains unchanged; doctors are still prohibited from issuing recommendations or completing paperwork to support veterans’ participation in state medical marijuana programs. Advocates argue that this restriction disrupts continuity of care and forces veterans to seek treatment outside the VA health system, even in states where medical marijuana is legal.
Broader Significance
The growing support among veterans and their families reflects broader public and policymaker shifts toward recognizing cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment. Studies conducted within VA clinical settings have already shown strong results, particularly in MDMA-assisted therapy trials. Meanwhile, federal lawmakers are pursuing legislation to solidify VA doctors’ ability to recommend medical cannabis and to expand research into its therapeutic benefits.
Conclusion
The latest Mission Roll Call survey shows that a majority of veterans and their families support allowing VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana in jurisdictions where it is legal. This public sentiment reinforces bipartisan legislative efforts to reform VA policy and bridge gaps in care for veterans. Ongoing advocacy aims to ensure that VA health professionals can fully participate in state-approved medical cannabis programs, potentially offering veterans safer alternatives to traditional medications.
