As a former combat field medic in the Army Reserve, I have had a front row seat to the struggle that many veterans face after coming home, and I know that war has a long-lasting impact on our servicemembers. Many of them struggle with conditions such as chronic pain and PTSD that make every day a battle of its own. For years, we have searched for solutions that truly work — and for many, medical cannabis has proven to be a game-changer. Yet, outdated federal policies continue to stand in the way of progress, leaving veterans without access to safe, regulated products.

Currently, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning the federal government considers it to have no medical use and a high chance for abuse — on par with heroin. This classification is not only scientifically inaccurate but also harmful to those who could benefit from its medicinal properties. That is why I strongly support rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III, a position for which President Donald Trump has indicated support. President Trump is an advocate for common sense reforms and rescheduling cannabis is no different.

Moving cannabis to Schedule III would mark a critical step forward, particularly for veterans. First, it would allow for greater research into its medical benefits, something that has been stifled under the current classification. This means we could finally get definitive answers on dosage, effectiveness, and best practices for using cannabis as a treatment for conditions like PTSD and chronic pain — issues that disproportionately affect those who have served our country.

Rescheduling cannabis would also introduce much-needed regulatory oversight. Right now, because cannabis exists in a legal gray area, many products on the market are poorly regulated, mislabeled or contaminated. Veterans — and all Americans — deserve to know that the products they are using are safe, effective and free from harmful substances. By bringing cannabis under tighter federal oversight, we can ensure quality control and consistency, reducing the risks associated with unregulated products.

Additionally, moving cannabis to Schedule III would help clear the path for VA doctors to discuss cannabis as a treatment option without fear of losing funding or violating federal law. Many veterans rely on the VA for their healthcare, yet under current policy, they are effectively barred from receiving guidance on a substance that could significantly improve their well-being.

The fight to reschedule cannabis is about common sense and compassion, not about politics. As someone who has served and treated those who served, I know veterans deserve every possible tool to help them heal and President Trump has recognized the need for change and his support makes now the time to act.

Rescheduling cannabis may not be the final step in cannabis reform, but it is an important and necessary move toward ensuring safer, more effective treatment options for our nation’s veterans. Let’s stand with them and make this long-overdue change happen.

Bob Lawrence, of Woodbury, is a former combat field medic in the Army Reserve and a former candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives.