Veterans agency eases penalties on medical marijuana

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs is changing a rule that penalizes veterans using medical marijuana in the 14 states where the practice is legal, according to a departmental directive.

The change, which had been sought by some veteran groups, will prevent veterans who are prescribed and using medical marijuana in those states from losing government benefits.

The new rule does not permit VA physicians to prescribe medical marijuana, for its use to be allowed in VA facilities or for VA to pay for medical marijuana.

As an illegal drug under federal law, marijuana had presented veterans and physicians prescribing it for pain relief and other conditions with potential prosecution or loss of VA benefits.

The new rule clarifies the exceptions where veterans who use Veterans Health Administration, or VHA, services can use medical marijuana in the states that allow it.