Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist has publicly proposed a new bill that will grant veterans the opportunity to receive medical cannabis treatments. The bill (H.R. 6589) will prevent veteran patients from being dismissed from the workplace by the federal government.

Crist’s bill is titled the “Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act.” He unveiled the bipartisan bill in Largo, where cannabis industry representatives and veterans congregated for the announcement.

“Medical marijuana is an issue of compassion, and in the veterans’ community, access is even more important as more and more veterans are turning to cannabis to address chronic pain and PTSD. At the same time, the federal government is the largest employer of veterans; however, private cannabis use even in states that have legalized medical marijuana is prohibited in these positions,” Crist explained.

“Our bipartisan bill would protect federal employment for those in compliance with their state’s cannabis laws. Because our veterans shouldn’t have to choose between treatment options or job opportunities,” he added.

Republican U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson co-introduced the bill

The H.R. 6589 measure was co-introduced by Republican U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson. The American dentist and politician wants to lift federal limitations on federal employment for consumers who require cannabis-derived treatments to relieve the symptoms of illness and disease.

“No one should face unemployment for choosing to pursue private legal medical treatment,” said Ferguson. The U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 3rd congressional district drew light to federal workers, of which one-third account for veterans.    

The Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act was unveiled in an email by Crist. According to Crist, H.R. 6589 has already garnered support from multifarious cannabis advocacy groups including Americans for Safe Access, Florida for Care, Marijuana Policy Project, National Cannabis Industry Association, NORML, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, and Weed for Warriors Project.

“Congressman Crist has been a strong ally in our fight to allow Florida patients access to medical marijuana and efforts to protect this access from federal interference. Florida for Care is proud to support his common-sense bill to protect employment of Floridians whose well-being depends on continuing medical marijuana treatment,” said the executive director of Florida for Care, Ben Pollara.

Pollara is the new campaign director of a 2016 strategy that led to the approval of medical cannabis in Florida. For the last five years, Pollara has been working hard to supply medical cannabis treatments to citizens with debilitating conditions.

“We applaud Congressman Crist’s leadership on this important issue as we continue working together to protect patients and strengthen the state’s medical marijuana system,” Pollara continued.

Bipartisan bill is hailed by cannabis dispensary CEO

Florida-based medical cannabis dispensary operator and wellness center Surterra Wellness praised the Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act in a statement. Recently, former Wrigley Chewing Gum CEO “Beau” Wrigley, Jr. joined Surterra’s board.

“We applaud Congressman Crist for introducing a bipartisan bill to protect veterans’ treatment options. Surterra stands proudly beside the Congressman as he pursues medical cannabis reform in Congress so that our communities and local veterans can have access to safe and effective treatment options,” said the CEO of Surterra, Jake Bergmann.

“We have a significant veteran community in Florida that deserves the highest quality, most consistent medical cannabis products available. We are proud to lead a company that seeks to improve the quality of our brave men and women’s lives through safe, natural means,” he expressed.