Veterans Betrayed

Congress Passed HR5371 — and Veterans Took the Hit

Last week, Congress pulled one of those classic late-night, “don’t-read-too-closely” moves that has become way too common in Washington. They passed HR5371, a bill that reopened the government — but buried inside it was something far more sinister:
A quiet, last-second attack on Veterans and the hemp-derived products many rely on.

For months, lawmakers had been talking openly about modernizing VA policy, allowing doctors to finally discuss medical cannabis options with Veterans without dancing around outdated federal restrictions. It was progress — rare, bipartisan, and honestly overdue.

But when the shutdown clock ran out, and the pressure to pass something hit its peak, Congress slipped in a poison pill:
A nationwide ban on hemp-derived products, including ones Veterans use for pain, sleep, anxiety, and daily functioning — products that the VA itself had been edging closer to studying honestly.

No hearings.
No floor debate.
No veteran input.
Just shoved into the must-pass bill, hoping no one would notice.

Well, Veterans noticed.

For years, Washington has claimed to “support our troops,” while leaving Veterans to navigate a healthcare system that too often refuses to evolve. Instead of empowering doctors and expanding options, HR5371 tightens restrictions and criminalizes products that have helped thousands of Veterans reduce their dependence on opioids, sleep medications, and anxiety prescriptions.

And they did it while patting themselves on the back for “reopening the government.”

Imagine that — Congress congratulating itself for fixing a crisis they caused, while quietly creating a brand new one for the people who served this country.

This isn’t about politics.
This is about trust — and once again, Veterans were blindsided by the very people who claim to fight for them.

What HR5371 Really Means

• Hemp-derived cannabinoids — even non-intoxicating ones — are suddenly treated like threats instead of therapeutic tools.

• Veterans who found relief outside of addictive pharmaceuticals are pushed back into narrower, riskier medical options.

• The promising progress at the VA toward open cannabis discussion? Stalled. Again.

• And all of it happened without transparency, without public debate, and without giving a single Veteran a seat at the table.

The Worst Part

Congress did this knowing Veterans are watching.
They did it knowing the suicide crisis hasn’t improved.
They did it knowing many Veterans use these products to stay stable, functional, and off dangerous medications.

They did it anyway.

Veterans Deserve Better

Veterans aren’t asking for special treatment — they’re asking for honesty. For healthcare options based on science, not stigma. For a Congress that doesn’t hide life-changing policy inside an emergency spending bill.

And if HR5371 is any sign, the fight for that honesty is far from over.

Act now, as the provisions set forth in HR5371 take effect in Nov 2026!