Recent legislative actions in the United States Congress signal potential shifts in federal policy regarding medical cannabis access for military veterans. The House of Representatives has approved amendments aimed at expanding veterans’ ability to receive medical cannabis recommendations from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors, alongside other significant regulatory and market developments impacting the broader cannabis industry.
US Federal Policy Shifts on Medical Cannabis Access
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed amendments to allow military veterans to obtain medical cannabis access recommendations directly from their Department of Veterans Affairs physicians. This move, reported by Marijuana Moment on May 15, 2026, represents a notable step towards integrating medical cannabis into veteran healthcare pathways, potentially streamlining the process for those seeking therapeutic options. Concurrently, the House also approved amendments to raise awareness regarding psychedelic therapies, indicating a broader legislative interest in alternative approaches for conditions prevalent among veterans.
Further federal activity includes the House Appropriations Committee’s approval of a spending bill containing a provision designed to prevent the Department of Justice (DOJ) from taking action to reschedule marijuana. This provision highlights ongoing federal resistance to broad cannabis reform at the executive level. Despite this, the bill also incorporates a long-standing rider that safeguards state-level medical cannabis laws from federal intervention, reflecting the persistent tension between federal prohibition and state-level legalisation efforts. In other federal news, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has approved the recognition of insolvency proceedings for the Cannabist Co., a significant event for the company’s financial restructuring. Meanwhile, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) questioned Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terrance Cole during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing about measures to address illegal marijuana operations linked to China in Maine and other states, underscoring concerns about illicit market activity. Additionally, a House bill focused on regulating hemp products has gained one new cosponsor, bringing its total to six, indicating slow but steady legislative progress for the industrial hemp sector.
State-Level Regulatory and Prescribing Updates
Across various U.S. states, regulatory bodies and legislatures continue to refine policies governing medical cannabis. In Louisiana, the House Health and Welfare Committee approved a Senate-passed bill that would permit patients with terminal and irreversible conditions to use medical marijuana within hospitals, subject to specific limitations. This legislative effort aims to enhance medical cannabis access for critically ill patients in clinical settings.
Regulatory enforcement actions were also noted, with the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners temporarily suspending the license of a doctor who allegedly failed to adhere to requirements for authorising medical cannabis. Meanwhile, New York regulators are actively recruiting participants for a study investigating CBD and THC in inflammatory bowel disease, contributing to the growing body of clinical research. Other state-level developments include:
- Michigan regulators initiating a second public comment period on proposed changes to marijuana rules.
- Colorado regulators publishing guidance concerning marijuana fee setting.
- Nevada regulators releasing a demographic study detailing the state’s cannabis industry.
- The removal of a member from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Executive Advisory Council.
Australian Policy and Global Research
Internationally, Australia’s Victoria Legislative Council approved a measure to codify the state’s approach to issuing cautions for marijuana offenses as an alternative to arrests. This policy adjustment reflects an evolving approach to cannabis enforcement within the state.
In the realm of scientific research, a study highlighted by Marijuana Moment indicated that CBD treatment was associated with statistically and clinically significant improvements in quality of life across multiple domains for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The study also observed seizure frequency reduction in the majority of participating patients. Separately, a case series concluded that psilocybin may support motor recovery and sensory integration in incomplete spinal cord injury, suggesting potential applications for other regulated substances.
Corporate Earnings and Legal Developments
The cannabis industry also saw several corporate and legal developments. Glass House Brands Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $40.5 million and a net loss of $17 million. Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$39.8 million. In a corporate restructuring move, Trulieve Cannabis Corp. is seeking shareholder approval to redomicile the company from British Columbia, Canada, to Delaware. Legal challenges emerged as Stiiizy faces a lawsuit alleging the concealment of tracking tools on its website to monitor shopping habits and subsequent sale of this data to brokers. Furthermore, California’s attorney general has highlighted enforcement actions taken against an unlicensed marijuana business, underscoring ongoing efforts to regulate the illicit market.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
