The simple answer is NO!
Veterans are free to use any type of cannabis without penalty. Veterans will not be denied VA benefits because of marijuana use. This includes CBD, legal, or illegal marijuana. You can find more information on the VA's website here, but here are some takeaways:
- Veterans will not be denied VA benefits because of marijuana use.
- Veterans are encouraged to discuss marijuana use with their VA providers.
- VA health care providers will record marijuana use in the Veteran's VA medical record in order to have the information available in treatment planning. As with all clinical information, this is part of the confidential medical record and protected under patient privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.
- VA will not pay for medical marijuana prescriptions from any source.
- Veterans who are VA employees are subject to drug testing under the terms of employment.
VA Home Loans
If you work for a licenced marijuana or a hemp business you are not prohibited from your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA. You can find out more from the VA here, but here are the quick facts:
- A Veteran who receives income from state-legalized marijuana activity is not prohibited from obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is a certificate that confirms the Veteran is eligible to apply for a VA-guaranteed loan and shows the amount of home loan guaranty entitlement available, if any, to the Veteran.
- Income from employment in industries that are not prohibited at the federal level, such as the legal hemp industry, is not problematic for underwriting purposes.