Traditional VSO Cannabis Positions — Legion, IAVA, DAV, VFW

Traditional veterans service organizations (VSOs) have formally supported cannabis research and federal rescheduling since 2016. Their positions are more cautious than specialized cannabis advocacy groups, but their influence is substantial because of their scale and political credibility.

American Legion

The American Legion is the largest wartime VSO with approximately 2 million members and 13,000+ posts nationwide. Its cannabis positions have been particularly influential because of its scale and conservative political orientation.

Resolution 11 (2016)

At the 2016 National Convention, the American Legion passed Resolution 11, which formally:

• Urged the DEA to license private research into cannabis
• Called on Congress to remove marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act
• Supported veteran access to medical cannabis research participation
• Stopped short of supporting recreational legalization

The Legion's position was enormously influential in legitimizing cannabis reform in conservative political circles. Its position demonstrated that cannabis reform was not a partisan "liberal" issue but a veteran health care issue with broad support.

Member Survey Findings

A 2017 survey of American Legion members found:

• 92% support medical cannabis research
• 83% support federal medical legalization
• Broad support for VA participation in cannabis research

Recent Engagement

The American Legion National Commander attended Trump's December 2025 rescheduling Executive Order signing, while noting that the Legion's support "does NOT imply support for recreational legalization." This distinction matters for understanding the Legion's position — it supports medical access and research, but has not endorsed adult-use recreational programs.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

IAVA has made medical cannabis access a top priority since 2017. Annual member surveys consistently show 88–90% support for medical cannabis access among post-9/11 veterans.

Policy Positions

• Strong support for the Veterans Equal Access Act
• Support for VA cannabis research
• Advocacy for federal rescheduling
• Focus on post-9/11 veteran experiences with PTSD, chronic pain, and TBI
• Emphasis on cannabis as an alternative to opioids given the post-9/11 opioid crisis

IAVA's position reflects the younger post-9/11 veteran demographic, which has significantly higher rates of cannabis use and more favorable attitudes toward cannabis than older veteran cohorts.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

DAV supports VA cannabis research, specifically for:

• PTSD — the leading research focus given combat trauma prevalence
• Chronic pain — directly relevant to DAV's disability-focused membership
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) — another high-prevalence issue among disabled veterans

DAV has not adopted as aggressive a rescheduling position as the American Legion, but has supported research access consistently and has worked with Congressional allies on research expansion legislation.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

VFW supports VA cannabis research, with particular emphasis on the need for completed studies before broader policy recommendations. This is a more cautious position than some other VSOs, reflecting VFW's traditional emphasis on evidence-based advocacy.

VFW's position has evolved over time. Early positions were more skeptical of cannabis reform. Current positions support research access and state-level veteran access programs, while remaining cautious about specific federal policy changes.

Coalition Letters

All four major VSOs (American Legion, IAVA, DAV, VFW) have co-signed coalition letters urging DEA rescheduling. This represents an unusual degree of VSO alignment on a specific policy question, and it has been influential in congressional and executive branch debates about rescheduling.

Coalition positions have also been coordinated with specialized cannabis advocacy organizations, creating a broader "veteran voice" on rescheduling than any single organization could generate alone.

Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA)

The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), founded ~2015–2016, is not a traditional VSO but has worked on veteran-related issues as part of its broader mission. MCBA focuses on cannabis industry diversity and has advocated for policies benefiting minority and veteran-owned businesses within its equity framework.

Why Traditional VSO Positions Matter

• Scale: VSOs represent millions of veterans, giving them political weight that specialized cannabis advocacy organizations cannot match
• Credibility: Established VSOs have decades of trust with veterans, Congress, and VA
• Bipartisan reach: VSO membership crosses political lines, providing cover for Republican legislators who might otherwise be hesitant to support cannabis reform
• Institutional relationships: VSOs have ongoing relationships with VA leadership, congressional committees, and the executive branch that enable sustained engagement
• Member advocacy: VSO members can directly engage their elected officials, creating grassroots pressure through trusted channels

Limitations of VSO Positions

• Cautious positioning often lags what grassroots veterans actually want
• Focus on research and rescheduling rather than broader access reform
• Not aligned on recreational legalization (most VSOs remain neutral or opposed)
• Member surveys may underrepresent younger post-9/11 veterans who are most supportive of reform
• Institutional culture can be slow to change positions even as member attitudes shift

How Veterans Can Engage VSOs

• Join a VSO if you are not already a member; membership gives you standing to influence organizational positions
• Participate in resolutions processes at the local, state, and national convention levels
• Respond to member surveys honestly about cannabis views
• Ask local VSO leadership about their organization's cannabis position and advocacy work
• Reference VSO positions when contacting congressional representatives

Related Reading

• Advocacy Overview
• Grassroots Organizations
• Veterans Equal Access Act
• DEA Rescheduling