Veterans are speaking clearly on this one — and lawmakers should listen.
A new survey from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), published October 15, found 91% of veterans support research into marijuana’s medicinal uses, and 88% support that research being conducted through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) itself.
The survey included 470 participants across 47 states and Washington, D.C. Here’s what else it found:
- 87% supported legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, while 61% supported recreational legalization.
- 69% agreed with moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law.
- Among 212 respondents interested in marijuana as a treatment option, 70% said they would feel comfortable discussing it with their primary care doctor — but just 29% had actually done so.
- 271 respondents reported previous recreational use and 179 reported previous medical use. Among those with prior marijuana experience, 72% expressed interest in using marijuana or cannabinoid products as a treatment option if available.
That’s a striking gap: veterans are comfortable talking about it in theory, but most haven’t had that conversation with their doctor yet.
IAVA says the findings support expanding federal research into marijuana’s potential effects on chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health conditions, and other symptoms commonly experienced by veterans. The organization also recommends examining whether medical marijuana use influences reliance on prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol, as well as its potential effects on quality of life.
The report spotlights the bipartisan VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2026, introduced in Congress on October 1. The bill would direct the VA to conduct research examining marijuana use among veterans with chronic pain and PTSD, including observational studies and clinical trials subject to applicable safety and feasibility requirements.
Under existing VA policy, physicians can discuss marijuana use with veterans as part of their medical care, but cannot recommend marijuana or complete documentation required for participation in state medical marijuana programs. IAVA says expanded research should be accompanied by better clinical guidance and policies allowing veterans to have informed conversations with their healthcare providers.
What it means for Kentucky
Kentucky veterans live under the same federal research limits — and under a state law that still criminalizes cannabis possession. Kentucky is one of the states that has not even decriminalized possession.
Veterans’ voices carry weight in Frankfort and in Washington, because this isn’t an abstract policy debate for them. It’s about chronic pain, PTSD, and whether the VA can actually study an option so many veterans are already asking about.
Kentucky voters should get to decide this for themselves: our proposed amendment would let adults 21 and over possess up to one ounce and cultivate, harvest, and store up to five plants for personal use, free of criminal sanction.
Sign the petition and share it:
Call your legislators:
1-800-372-7181 (Kentucky legislative message line)
Source: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) survey, published October 15, 2026, as reported by The Marijuana Herald, October 16, 2026: https://themarijuanaherald.com/2026/10/survey-finds-91-of-veterans-support-medical-marijuana-research-88-back-va-research/
#LegalizeKentucky #KCFC #LetKentuckyVote #DecriminalizeKentucky #Veterans #MedicalMarijuana #VAResearch
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