IMPORTANT UPDATE: On APRIL 28th, 2026, the Attorney General ordered the Rescheduling of Cannabis in the state medical cannabis programs from Schedule I to Schedule III through AG Order No. 6754-2026. Learn more about what this means for patients and caregivers here!
All other cannabis remains illegal and is classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act
MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS SHUT OUT OF FEDERAL SERVICES
For millions of Americans, federal programs are a lifeline — providing healthcare, housing, and support in times of need. But if you are a medical cannabis patient, these lifelines can be out of reach. Federal prohibition still treats medical cannabis use as “unlawful drug use,” creating barriers that force patients to choose between the medicine they need and the federal benefits they depend on.
WHO’S AFFECTED
The scope of the problem is massive:
9 million veterans rely on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for healthcare.
1.2 million veterans live in poverty.
67 million Americans depend on Medicare for healthcare.
8.2 million older adults live in poverty.
10 million Americans live in federally subsidized housing — and 25% are disabled.
For many in these groups, medical cannabis is the most effective treatment for conditions like chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and cancer-related symptoms. Yet under current federal law, cannabis use can jeopardize access to these critical services.
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
VHA medical professionals cannot recommend medical cannabis, even in states where it is legal. Veterans must pay out of pocket for medical professional visits for recommendations and cannabis-based medicines. While veterans are not typically denied VA care outright for cannabis use, many report feeling pressured to stop using it or risk changes to their treatment plans.
Patient Story: James, U.S. Army Veteran
James is a 48-year-old veteran who served two tours in Iraq. He lives with severe PTSD and chronic pain from a back injury sustained during service. After trying multiple prescription drugs with debilitating side effects, James found relief with medical cannabis, allowing him to sleep through the night for the first time in years. But because the VHA cannot prescribe or cover cannabis, James pays out of pocket. His VA doctor has warned him that continued cannabis use may affect his eligibility for certain pain management programs. James feels forced to choose between the medicine that works and the care he earned by serving his country.
MEDICARE COVERAGE
Medicare beneficiaries cannot receive coverage for medical cannabis products, no matter how effective they are or how clearly they reduce reliance on more dangerous pharmaceuticals like opioids or benzodiazepines.
Patient Story: Maria, Medicare Recipient
Maria is a 72-year-old grandmother living on a fixed income in rural Ohio. She suffers from severe arthritis and fibromyalgia. Medical cannabis has allowed her to reduce opioid use and regain mobility, but Medicare will not cover the cost of her medicine. She spends $250 each month out of pocket, cutting into her grocery and utility budget. If she could access cannabis through Medicare like she does her other prescriptions, Maria could afford both her medicine and her basic needs.
FEDERALLY SUBSIDIZED HOUSING
Federally funded housing programs, including public housing and Section 8 vouchers, ban cannabis possession or use. This means patients in these programs can be evicted or denied housing simply for following their doctor’s recommendation.
Patient Story: Carla, Resident in Subsidized Housing
Carla is a 36-year-old woman living with multiple sclerosis who needs federally subsidized housing after she can no longer work. Cannabis helps her control muscle spasms and maintain enough mobility to use a walker instead of a wheelchair. Now she lives with the constant fear that using his doctor-recommended medicine will make her homeless.
WHY ONLY THE MCCCA CAN SOLVE THIS
State reforms can’t change federal eligibility rules for these programs. The only fix is federal legislation. The Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoid Act (MCCA) would:
- Recognize medical cannabis under federal law.
- Protect beneficiaries from discrimination in VA care, Medicare, and federally subsidized housing.
- Ensure patients can access medical cannabis without risking eviction, loss of healthcare, or loss of benefits.
Federal prohibition doesn’t just criminalize patients — it locks them out of essential services they have earned or desperately need. From veterans who served our country to seniors who have worked their entire lives, no one should be denied healthcare, housing, or benefits because they use a state-legal medicine.
Congress must act. The MCCA offers a compassionate, commonsense path to protect patients’ rights and ensure that access to federal programs is based on need — not outdated policies.
If you appreciate ASA's work, sign up to get alerts and updates and make a donation to support ASA's vital mission.
Share this page
