What is VHA Directive 1315?

VHA Directive 1315, "Access to VHA Clinical Programs for Veterans Participating in State-Approved Marijuana Programs," is the VA's governing policy on cannabis and veterans. Issued December 8, 2017, it replaces the original 2011 directive (VHA 2011-004) and remains in effect as of April 2026. Its key provision is that veterans must not be denied VHA services solely because they are participating in state-approved marijuana programs.

Can VA providers recommend medical marijuana?

No. Under VHA Directive 1315, VA providers cannot recommend medical marijuana, complete state program forms, register veterans for state programs, prescribe cannabis, or pay for cannabis from any source. They CAN discuss cannabis use, document it, adjust treatment plans, and discuss interactions with other medications.

Why does the VA still follow federal law if my state has legalized cannabis?

The VA is a federal agency bound by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classifies marijuana as Schedule I. Executive Order 12564 (1986) requires federal employees to refrain from illegal drug use. The Supremacy Clause establishes federal law as the supreme law of the land. State legalization does not override federal classification, so VA providers cannot recommend cannabis even in legal states.

What FDA-approved cannabinoid medications can VA providers prescribe?

Three FDA-approved cannabinoid medications occupy a different legal category than "medical marijuana": Epidiolex (cannabidiol oral solution, descheduled in April 2020), dronabinol (Marinol/Syndros, synthetic THC, Schedule III), and nabilone (Cesamet, synthetic cannabinoid, Schedule II). VA providers can prescribe all three for approved indications.

VA Cannabis Policy — VHA Directive 1315 Explained

Q: Is cannabis allowed on VA medical center grounds?

No. Cannabis use and possession remain prohibited on all VA medical centers, locations, and grounds. Federal law applies on VA property regardless of state law. Veterans should never bring cannabis to VA appointments.

VHA Directive 1315 governs how VA providers handle veteran cannabis use. It was issued December 8, 2017, replacing the original 2011 directive (VHA 2011-004), and remains in effect as of April 2026. Its central provision is one of the most important protections for veterans who use cannabis: "Veterans must not be denied VHA services solely because they are participating in state-approved marijuana programs."

The Headline

You will not lose VA benefits, VA care, or VA-prescribed medications because you participate in a state cannabis program. VA providers cannot recommend cannabis or assist with state programs. They can discuss cannabis use openly with you, document it, and adjust your treatment plan.

Exterior of a modern government medical clinic building on an overcast morning

What VA Providers CAN Do Under Directive 1315

Discuss cannabis use with veterans as part of comprehensive care planning
Document marijuana use in the veteran's medical record (in the "non-VA/herbal/OTC medication" section)
Adjust treatment plans based on cannabis use
Discuss how cannabis may interact with other medications and impact overall care including pain management, PTSD, and substance use disorder treatment
Provide cannabis use disorder treatment for veterans whose use has become problematic
Provide PTSD treatment, chronic pain treatment, and other care without requiring abstinence as a precondition

What VA Providers CANNOT Do Under Directive 1315

Recommend medical marijuana
Complete paperwork or forms for state medical cannabis programs
Register veterans for state programs
Prescribe cannabis or fill cannabis prescriptions through VA pharmacies
Pay for medical marijuana from any source

Cannabis on VA Property

Cannabis use and possession remain prohibited on all VA medical centers, locations, and grounds — federal law applies on VA property regardless of state law. Never bring cannabis to VA appointments. Never possess cannabis on a VA campus, in VA parking lots, or in vehicles parked on VA property.

Why Federal Law Applies Even in Legal States

The VA is a federal agency bound by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. §§ 801–971), which classifies marijuana as Schedule I — defined as having "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." Executive Order 12564 (Drug-Free Federal Workplace, 1986) mandates that federal employees refrain from illegal drug use. The Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2) establishes federal law as the supreme law of the land.

The VA's official position is unambiguous: "As long as the Food and Drug Administration classifies marijuana as Schedule I, VA health care providers may not recommend it or assist Veterans to obtain it."

FDA-Approved Cannabinoid Medications VA Can Prescribe

Three FDA-approved cannabinoid medications occupy a different legal category than "medical marijuana":

Epidiolex (cannabidiol oral solution) — FDA-approved June 25, 2018 for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. Initially Schedule V, completely descheduled by the DEA on April 6, 2020. VA providers can prescribe this for approved indications.
Dronabinol (Marinol/Syndros, synthetic THC) — FDA-approved May 31, 1985 for chemotherapy-induced nausea and AIDS-related anorexia. Rescheduled from Schedule II to Schedule III in 1999. VA providers can prescribe this.
Nabilone (Cesamet, synthetic cannabinoid analog) — FDA-approved 1985 for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Schedule II controlled substance. VA providers can prescribe this, including off-label for PTSD-associated nightmares.

VA Cannabis Research

The VA currently has six active studies on medical marijuana and has completed ten since 2010. Notable projects include the VA San Diego CBD/PTSD trial led by Dr. Marcel Loflin — the first cannabinoid trial primarily funded by the VA — and the VA Evidence-Based Synthesis Program's systematic review of cannabis for chronic pain and PTSD. More on VA cannabis research.

Policy Landscape 2024–2026

DEA rescheduling: In May 2024, the DOJ/DEA issued a proposed rule to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14370, "Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research," directing the Attorney General to complete rescheduling "in the most expeditious manner." However, marijuana remains Schedule I until rulemaking is finalized — the EO does not itself reschedule the substance.

Congressional action: The Veterans Equal Access Act has been passed as an amendment to MilCon-VA appropriations bills by both chambers multiple times, most recently passing the House on June 25, 2025 (218–206). However, as of April 2026, it has not been enacted into law — similar provisions have repeatedly been stripped during conference negotiations. Read the full policy landscape.

What This Means for You

Tell your VA provider about cannabis use. They are explicitly protected from punishing you for it, and they need to know to safely manage your medications and treatment plan.
Do not bring cannabis to VA facilities. Federal law applies on VA property.
Do not expect VA paperwork for state programs. Find a private certifying physician — our guide explains how.
Understand the federal employment context. If you are also a federal employee, federal contractor, or hold a security clearance, federal rules still apply regardless of state legalization.