In Washington, D.C., a coalition of military veterans and criminal justice reform advocates recently gathered on Capitol Hill to push for sweeping changes to federal cannabis policy. The coordinated effort, led by the nonprofit organizations Last Prisoner Project (LPP) and Balanced Veterans Network (BVN), called on lawmakers to recognize both the therapeutic potential of cannabis for veterans and the need for justice reform for individuals still imprisoned for nonviolent marijuana offenses.
A Focus on Federal Legislation
During their meetings with congressional offices, advocates highlighted several key bills aimed at creating a more rational and humane cannabis policy framework. Among them was the PREPARE Act, sponsored by Representative Dave Joyce of Ohio, which would establish a federal commission to research and propose regulations for cannabis similar to how alcohol is overseen.
Another measure, the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act, introduced by Representative Dina Titus of Nevada, seeks to repeal restrictions that prevent federal agencies from studying the impacts of cannabis legalization and its potential medical benefits. Both proposals reflect a growing bipartisan interest in reforming drug policy with science and data at the forefront.
Veterans’ Health and Legal Injustice
For many veterans struggling with chronic pain, PTSD, and other service-related conditions, cannabis has offered a lifeline where conventional treatments have failed. Yet under federal law, marijuana remains a Schedule I substance, preventing veterans from safely accessing it through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Advocates also drew attention to veterans who remain incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses, even as more than half of U.S. states have legalized or decriminalized cannabis. Among the cases spotlighted were Air Force veteran Robert Deals, Marine Deshawn Reilly, and Army veteran Kristofer Fetter—all serving lengthy sentences for nonviolent cannabis convictions. Their stories served as powerful reminders of the human toll of outdated laws.
Building Bipartisan Momentum
Jason Ortiz, Director of Strategic Initiatives at LPP, emphasized that lasting reform depends on cooperation across party lines. His team has focused on engaging both progressive lawmakers and conservative veterans to craft solutions that appeal to shared values of freedom, fairness, and responsibility.
Eric Jansen, BVN’s government affairs coordinator, added a personal dimension to the movement, citing the suicide of a veteran friend as a driving motivation for his advocacy. He referenced findings from Operation Deep Dive, a study revealing that veteran suicide and overdose rates may be significantly higher than official estimates. “We’re losing people every day,” Jansen said. “If cannabis can save even a fraction of those lives, we owe it to them to try.”
While most meetings were conducted with congressional staff rather than lawmakers directly, the advocates described the trip as a success—laying the groundwork for future cooperation. Notably, Representative Tony Wied of Wisconsin expressed strong support for the reform effort, citing his own experiences with veterans’ health concerns.
A Turning Point for Federal Policy
The joint advocacy by veterans and prisoner-rights organizations reflects a growing national recognition that cannabis policy reform is not just a social or economic issue—but one of moral responsibility. As more states move forward with legalization, pressure continues to build on Congress to ensure federal law keeps pace with modern science, compassion, and common sense.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
