The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023 failed to pass in the Senate after initially receiving bipartisan support earlier this year. (Photo: Jeff W.)

May 2023’s first California Veterans news roundup includes two updates from the VA, including an update on the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023; a report detailing the state of Veteran’s Liberty Cemetery in Fresno, and more.

Readers can send Veterans-related stories to news@calegion.org. 

Statewide: California Veterans news

• As of April 26, the VA has named Joshua Jacobs as its Under Secretary of Benefits. Commenting on the appointment, VA Secretary Denis McDonough stated, “Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors deserve world-class benefits for their service to our country, and there’s nobody better to lead VA in delivering those benefits than Josh Jacobs.” Jacobs’ first challenge will be to oversee the continuing deployment of the PACT Act.
• Senate Republicans blocked a bill last week that would have mandated the VA study the effects of Veterans using marijuana to treat chronic pain and PTSD. Several GOP senators, mostly members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, broke party lines to vote in favor of the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023. It is unclear if the bill can be revived.

Fresno Veterans news

• The Fresno County Civil Grand Jury released a report on the state of the Veteran’s Liberty Cemetery off Belmont Avenue, finding the site to be in disrepair. Fresno County has since noted that it will allocate additional funds to the site’s maintenance, including hiring daily staff and the construction of a new maintenance shed after a fire burned the previous shed down several years ago.

King County Veterans news

• The King County Board of Supervisors and Corcoran City Council unveiled the “Five Pillars of Freedom” Veterans Memorial at Gateway Park on Saturday. The monument honors all five branches of the U.S. Military.

San Bernardino County Veterans news

• Yesterday, San Bernardino County’s Interagency Council on Homelessness reported a 26% increase in homelessness throughout the county in 2022. It’s unclear if the rate of homeless Veterans in the county was represented in the council’s figures.

San Diego Veterans news

• In honor of Military Appreciation Month, Veterans and up to three guests can obtain free one-day tickets to SeaWorld through May 14, to be used before July 9. 

Recent Veterans articles & videos from California American Legion

• Letter from the Commander, Jere Romano
• News: VA criticizes bill touted by Speaker McCarthy that would ‘threaten critical services for Veterans’ with deep budget cuts
• News: Palo Alto HRB study session ends with all sides agreeing to pursue a collaborative path forward for Memorial Flagpole’s restoration

Important Veterans & Military holidays in May

• May 1 — silver star service banner day
• The Friday before Mother’s Day — Military Spouse Appreciation Day
• May 8 — Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (World War II)
• The last Monday in Day — Memorial Day

Author: Christian Southards

Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.