VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2019
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a clinical trial of the effects of medical-grade cannabis on the health outcomes of covered veterans diagnosed with chronic pain, and also those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Covered veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA patient enrollment system for hospital care and medical services.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 712 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 712
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a clinical
trial of the effects of cannabis on certain health outcomes of adults
with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 23, 2019
Mr. Correa (for himself and Mr. Higgins of Louisiana) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a clinical
trial of the effects of cannabis on certain health outcomes of adults
with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act
of 2019''.
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CLINICAL TRIAL OF THE EFFECTS OF
CANNABIS ON CERTAIN HEALTH OUTCOMES OF ADULTS WITH
CHRONIC PAIN AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
(a) Clinical Trial Required.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
carry out a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial
of the effects of medical-grade cannabis on the health outcomes
of covered veterans diagnosed with chronic pain and covered
veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
(2) Required elements.--The clinical trial required by
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) with respect to covered veterans diagnosed with
chronic pain, an evaluation of the effects of the use
of cannabis on--
(i) neuropathic pain (including pain
intensity and pain-related outcomes);
(ii) the reduction or increase in opioid
use or dosage;
(iii) the reduction or increase in
benzodiazepine use or dosage;
(iv) the reduction or increase in alcohol
use;
(v) inflammation;
(vi) sleep quality;
(vii) spasticity;
(viii) agitation; and
(ix) quality of life; and
(B) with respect to covered veterans diagnosed with
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an evaluation of
the effects of the use of cannabis on--
(i) the symptoms of PTSD (based on the
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, the PTSD
checklist, the PTSD symptom scale, the
posttraumatic diagnostic scale, and other
applicable methods of evaluating PTSD
symptoms);
(ii) the reduction or increase in
benzodiazepine use or dosage;
(iii) the reduction or increase in alcohol
use;
(iv) mood;
(v) anxiety;
(vi) social functioning;
(vii) agitation;
(viii) suicidal ideation; and
(ix) sleep quality, including frequency of
nightmares and night terrors.
(3) Optional elements.--The clinical trial required by
paragraph (1) may include an evaluation of the effects of the
use of cannabis to treat chronic pain and PTSD on--
(A) pulmonary function;
(B) cardiovascular events;
(C) head, neck, and oral cancer;
(D) testicular cancer;
(E) ovarian cancer;
(F) transitional cell cancer;
(G) motor vehicle accidents;
(H) mania;
(I) psychosis;
(J) cognitive effects; or
(K) cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
(b) Covered Veterans.--In this section, the term ``covered
veteran'' means a veteran who is enrolled in the patient enrollment
system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of
title 38, United States Code.
(c) Long-Term Observational Study.--The Secretary may carry out a
long-term observational study of the participants in the clinical trial
required under subsection (a).
(d) Type of Cannabis.--In carrying out the clinical trial required
by subsection (a), the Secretary shall study--
(1) varying forms of cannabis, including--
(A) full plants and extracts; and
(B) at least three different strains of cannabis
with significant variants in phenotypic traits and
various ratios of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol
in chemical composition; and
(2) varying methods of cannabis delivery, including
combustible and non-combustible inhalation and ingestion.
(e) Use of Control and Experimental Groups.--The clinical trial
required by subsection (a) shall include both a control group and an
experimental group which shall--
(1) be of similar size and structure; and
(2) represent the demographics of the veteran population,
as determined by the most recent data from the American
Community Survey that is available prior to the commencement of
the clinical trial.
(f) Data Preservation.--The clinical trial required by subsection
(a) shall include a mechanism to ensure the preservation of all data,
including all data sets, collected or used for purposes of the research
required by subsection (a) in a manner that will facilitate further
research.
(g) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) develop a plan to implement this section and submit
such plan to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House
of Representatives and the Senate; and
(2) issue any requests for proposals the Secretary
determines appropriate for such implementation.
(h) Effect on Other Benefits.--The eligibility or entitlement of a
covered veteran to any other benefit under the laws administered by the
Secretary or any other provision of law shall not be affected by the
participation of the covered veteran in a clinical trial or study under
this section.
(i) Reports.--During the five-year period beginning on the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit periodically, but
not less frequently than annually, to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate reports on the
implementation of this section.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E78)
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Committee Hearings Held.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
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