Legislation reducing the cost of a medical marijuana card for people honorably discharged from the military will head to the House floor, having cleared its final Committee of reference.
However, the Senate version has yet to be heard, meaning this might have to be taken up if it passes in messages without a Committee hearing.
The Health and Human Services Committee advanced Rep. Susan Valdés’ bill (HB 887), which would cut the fee from $75 to $15 for the cards certifying the right to medicate with cannabis, benefiting those of the 932,000 medical marijuana card holders that have served in the military.
“Medical cannabis has shown a promise in alleviating symptoms, commonly experienced by our military veterans, like managing chronic pain, alleviating the effects of PTSD, improving sleep, and reducing the most important part of this, is reducing the dependency on opioids,” Valdés said.
Numerous members of the public lauded the sponsor for carrying the bill, with some saying the current price keeps some who served out of the medical program.
Larry Downs Jr. thought the measure could go farther, wondering why veterans need to be charged anything at all.
