The House Rules Committee rejected an amendment on Tuesday that would have given veterans access to medical cannabis in place of opiates.

The amendment would be a part of the 2018 Military Construction bill and would prohibit federal funds from interfering with a veteran’s ability to take part in medical cannabis programs.

It would have also allowed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to make recommendations, fill out forms, and take steps to comply with their state’s medical cannabis program.

The amendments had the support of a bipartisan committee and the largest veteran support group, American Legion..

Due to the status of cannabis as a Schedule I drug, the VA prohibits its medical providers from prescribing the plant, even where it’s legal.

“Given that veterans are more likely to commit suicide or die from opiate overdoses than civilians, our fight to provide them safer alternatives won’t stop here,” said Congressman Earl Blumenaur (D-Oregon), sponsor of the amendment.