Sec. 743. Study and awareness initiative regarding use of medicinal cannabis to treat certain members of the Armed Forces on terminal leave
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The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study on the use of medicinal cannabis as an alternative to prescription opioids in the treatment of members of the Armed Forces on terminal leave preceding separation, retirement, or release from active duty. The Secretary shall select participants in the study under subsection
(a)from among members of the Armed Forces on terminal leave— who have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, a traumatic brain injury, or any other condition involving severe pain, as determined by the Secretary for purposes of this section; who but for such participation, would be prescribed opioid medications in connection with the treatment of such condition; and who elect to participate in the study (including in the post-study monitoring under subsection (c)). Following the conclusion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall monitor the effects of such study on the health of former participants by conducting assessments of such former participants, and shall submit to the congressional defense committees reports on the results of such monitoring, at the following intervals: One year after the date of such conclusion. Three years after the date of such conclusion. The eligibility or entitlement of a member of the Armed Forces to any other benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary shall not be affected by the participation of the member in the study under this section (including by participation in the post-study monitoring under subsection (c)). Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the findings of the study under subsection (a). Such report shall include— a description of any such findings relating to the benefits or other effects of using medicinal cannabis as an alternative to prescription opioids under the study; and any recommendations of the Secretary based on such findings. The Secretary shall carry out an education initiative regarding the use of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of the conditions referred to in subsection (b)(1). In carrying out such initiative, the Secretary shall take into consideration— to the extent practicable, the findings of the study under subsection (a); the specific vulnerability to opioid abuse and substance abuse disorder of individuals transitioning from serving on active duty in the Armed Forces; and best practices for reducing the stigmatization of medicinal cannabis. In this section: The terms active duty and Armed Forces have the meaning given those terms in section 101 of title 10, United States Code. The term appropriate congressional committees means— the congressional defense committees; the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.