# Veterans Groups Urge Congress to Expand Psychedelic and Cannabis Access > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/veterans-cannabis-psychedelic-therapy-access-expansion/ > **Published:** 2026-03-06T11:37:29-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:11:13-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Veterans cannabis psychedelic therapy access is critical to address treatment-resistant PTSD and reduce suicide risk through expanded VA programs. --- ✦ New CED Clinical Relevance #48 Clinical Context Background information relevant to the evolving [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) landscape. Mental HealthPolicyResearchAnxietyNeurology Why This Matters Veterans currently using cannabis or pursuing psychedelic therapy outside the VA system risk losing continuity of care, benefits eligibility concerns, and lack of clinical supervision that a formal federal program would provide. Clinical Summary Veterans organizations are pressing Congress to broaden access to both cannabis and psychedelic-assisted therapies through the VA system as a response to the persistently high suicide rate among veterans. The push reflects growing clinical evidence that current pharmacological and psychological treatment options are failing a significant portion of this population, particularly those with treatment-resistant PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders. Expanding federally sanctioned access would allow VA clinicians to incorporate these therapies into structured treatment protocols rather than leaving veterans to seek care outside the system or through unregulated channels. Dr. Caplan’s Take “When the suicide rate among a specific patient population remains catastrophically elevated for decades, continuing to restrict the most promising emerging therapies is not caution, it is negligence dressed up as policy.” Clinical Perspective The advocacy by veteran organizations for expanded access to psychedelics and cannabis represents an important clinical acknowledgment that conventional treatment approaches have significant limitations for treatment-resistant PTSD and related conditions. ️ Current evidence suggests both cannabinoids and psychedelic-assisted therapies may address distinct neurobiological pathways involved in trauma processing and emotional regulation, though each requires careful patient selection and monitoring. Integration of these modalities within the VA system would require substantial infrastructure development, provider training, and standardized protocols to ensure safe and effective implementation. The suicide prevention imperative among veterans justifies rigorous exploration of these options through properly designed [clinical trials](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-emotional-memory-ptsd-treatment/) and compassionate access frameworks. Any expansion must be paired with robust safety monitoring and clear guidelines regarding patient populations most likely to benefit. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? 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[Get the Guide](https://cedclinic.com/buy-marijuana-field-guide-online-green-cannabis-book/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).