Category Archives: Federal Law

What the Reclassification of Marijuana Means for You

“Justice Department Places FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and Products Containing Marijuana Subject to a Qualifying State-issued License in Schedule III, Strengthening Medical Research While Maintaining Strict Federal Controls.” This headline, which appeared on the Department of Justice’s official website on April 23, 2026, refers to the Executive Order signed by President Trump.

Advocates and politicians have pushed for this change for years, arguing cannabis carries undeniable medical value. As of April 2026, medical marijuana use is legal in 40 states. Following many years of federal research that confirmed the potential benefits of marijuana use for medical conditions, this Executive Order reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I, the most restrictive federal drug category, to the less regulated Schedule III. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the decision, “allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”

For brain injury survivors, the implications may be significant. One study, available on PubMed, found that patients with acquired brain injury have reported improvement in mood, anxiety, headache, sleep, and quality of life through medical cannabis use. Government-funded research also indicates that the non-psychoactive cannabis compound CBD, and THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis that is responsible for the “high”, may be effective for pain management, anxiety, and insomnia, all of which are common symptoms following brain injury. (These benefits are debatable. Another major analysis found that medicinal cannabis does not effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and may even worsen mental health in some cases.)

As always, caution is warranted. The CDC has proven that cannabis use affects brain development. Beyond brain development, a 2024 CDC report states, “cannabis use directly affects brain function — specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time.” Chronic marijuana consumption may reduce dopamine responsivity, increase negative emotionality, and induce anhedonia, meaning a reduced ability to experience pleasure or a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. These possible negative consequences are a significant concern for survivors, who already have cognitive issues and may struggle with low motivation.

While this rescheduling opens the door to better science, always consult a physician before using cannabis.

Man’s Best Friend Aids Brain Injury Recovery

Dogs are proving to be powerful partners in brain injury rehabilitation, offering benefits across physical, emotional, and speech therapy alike.

A March 2026 story from the University of Colorado Health (UCHealth) system documented Alan Tay, a 71-year-old stroke survivor who credits his border collie Olay with driving his recovery. Working with a neurological physical therapist, Alan used dog agility training to rebuild endurance, coordination, and memory – ultimately winning a national canine competition just three months after his stroke. Emotionally, dogs combat the depression and isolation that frequently accompany brain injury. The above-mentioned UCHealth story also notes that Olay gave Alan the will to push through. An NIH-funded clinical trial confirmed that service dogs may meaningfully reduce PTSD symptoms in military members and veterans.

Dogs can assist with speech recovery, as well. Research shows that aphasia patients produce more verbal and nonverbal communication around therapy dogs, which respond to tone and gesture rather than specific words. Speech therapy in such a uniquely low-pressure and therapeutic environment is highly beneficial for language practice.

The bipartisan SAVES Act, which reached the Senate calendar in February 2026, would fund service dogs for veterans with TBI and PTSD. Introduced by Rep. Morgan Luttrell (TX) on April 2, 2025, H.R.2605 explicitly lists “Traumatic brain injury” as a covered condition, recognizing that a trained service dog can be “optimal for the veteran to manage the disability, condition, or diagnosis and live independently.” In March 2026, America’s VetDogs launched a national campaign during this Brain Injury Awareness Month that highlights service dogs’ life-changing impact for TBI survivors, particularly as it relates to counter-balance support and deep pressure therapy.

Bacterium in Your Lungs May Be Attacking Your Brain

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common respiratory bacterium responsible for millions of cases of pneumonia and sinus infections each year. Most people recover without incident, but a growing body of research suggests the bacterium doesn’t always leave. In a February 2026 study, published in Nature Communications, researchers at Cedars-Sinai found that Chlamydia pneumoniae can linger in the eye and brain for years, potentially aggravating Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists found that greater amounts of the bacterium were associated with more severe brain damage and worse cognitive decline, with elevated bacterial levels especially common in individuals carrying the APOE4 gene variant.

The mechanism is alarming. The bacterium can infect the olfactory and trigeminal nerves and reach the brain within 72 hours, while also dysregulating key pathways involved in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis.

The federal government has taken notice. The Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY 2026 spending bill proposed an increase of $100 million for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research at NIH National Institute on Aging. Researchers hope this increased funding hope will accelerate investigation into infection-driven neurodegeneration. What once seemed like an ordinary respiratory bug may prove to be one of the brain’s most dangerous long-term adversaries.

Spring Forward, Fall Down: Neurological Effect of Time Change

Every March, we lose an hour of sleep, or we gain an hour of sunlight, depending on your perspective. For TBI survivors, this forced clock shift has medically been proven to be particularly cruel. Up to 70% of survivors already struggle with disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms. Unfortunately, that is the same biological clock that drives the neural repair process itself.

The twist, though, is that the extra daylight we are about to gain can actually help injured brains heal. Powered by sunlight, studies have shown that Vitamin D is typically low in brain injury patients, particularly at rehab admission, and deficiency is linked to worse survival. While adding a Vitamin D supplement into your daily pill regiment is good, natural Vitamin D absorption is always best.   

While it may seem a biannual norm, it wasn’t until March 19, 1918 that time became a legislative concern in the United States. President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act of 1918, also known as the Calder Act, “to save daylight and to provide standard time, for the United States.”. (On January 20, 1942, President Roosevelt established War Time, which halted the time shift from 1942 – 1945.)

More recently, opposition to time change has increased and a large minority of Americans say that they do not want to keep switching their clocks. In Congress, S.29, Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, sponsored by current Secretary of State, former Florida Senator, Marco Rubio and Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL) would have made Daylight Savings Time permanent. This Congressional year, Rep. Greg Steube (FL) introduced H.R. 7378, Daylight Act of 2026, that would permanently move U.S. clocks forward by 30 minutes and eliminate the biannual time change. As of March 4, 2026, this Act is in the House.

*British Columbia will permanently adopt year-round daylight saving time in 2026, with the final “spring forward” occurring on Sunday, March 8, 2026. It may be useful to observe how this change, or lack there of, functions in another country that has same time zones before passing legislation.

House Introduces a BEACON of Hope for Veterans with Brain Injuries

Representative Jack Bergman (MI), along with 5 original co-sponsors [Sarah Elfreth (MD), Kimberlyn King-Hinds (MP), Donald G. Davis (NC), Derrick Van Orden (WI), Morgan Luttrell (TX)] introduced the BEACON Act, H. R. 6993, in January 2026 to transform how the Department of Veterans Affairs treats traumatic brain injuries. The Veterans TBI Breakthrough Exploration of Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act establishes two grant programs totaling $60 million to fund innovative, non-pharmacological treatments for mild-to-moderate TBI.*

The sponsor of the bill and at least one of its co-sponsors bring personal stakes to this fight. Bergman, a retired Marine Lieutenant General with 40 years of service including Vietnam combat, witnessed how invisible injuries affect service members. Elfreth watched her grandfather – a Korean and Vietnam War veteran – suffer from PTSD, inspiring her earlier success passing Maryland’s David Perez Military Heroes Act.

Veterans often feel “unseen, unheard, and alone” navigating systems that treat symptoms rather than people. The BEACON Act addresses these gaps by funding research into evidence-based alternatives, training clinicians, and partnering academic institutions with VA facilities to bring innovative care directly to veterans.

*Per bill text, the TBI Innovation Grant Program will “award grants to eligible entities… for the development, implementation, and evaluation of approaches and methodologies for prospective randomized control trials for 11 neurorehabilitation treatments for the treatment of chronic mild TBI (mTBI) in veterans.” Additionally, the Act with provide grants for “independent third-party research studies and treatment with respect to supplemental neurorehabilitation treatments of mTBI.”

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy for Brain Injury Survivors

Martin Luther King Jr. never spoke directly about disability or brain injury, yet his civil rights movement built a legal foundation that protects millions of brain injury survivors today.

The connection lives in the law itself. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) declares that no person shall “be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination” based on race. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 both borrow this exact language, extending protections to people with disabilities, including brain injury survivors.

Tragically, the King family later experienced brain injury firsthand. On August 16, 2005, Coretta Scott King (1927-2006) suffered a stroke, leaving her paralyzed and unable to speak. Though she could never publicly address her condition, her eldest daughter Yolanda King (1955-2007) transformed the family’s pain into purpose, becoming National Ambassador for the American Stroke Association’s “Power to End Stroke” campaign. In her final speech in May 2007, Yolanda declared: “Everyone has the responsibility and power to take control of their health.”

King’s principle that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” applies to and protects brain injury survivors. Though he never marched for disability rights, his dream has expanded to embrace them.

Lawsuit to Take Down Austin Police for Takedown Consequences

On January 6, 2026, Natalie Gialenes reportedly filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Austin and a former Officer following a December 2024 incident that reportedly caused her a traumatic brain injury. Gialenes contends that while handcuffed for public intoxication, she bent down to retrieve her dropped ID when a police officer threw her to the ground. Her head struck the pavement with an audible impact that caused bleeding. Her attorney reports she now experiences cognitive difficulties that will affect her for life, including forcing her to withdraw from paralegal school. The Austin Police Association, however, maintains that Gialenes was highly intoxicated, had admitted using cocaine and alcohol, and pulled away from the officer during escort, requiring the takedown to maintain control.

Since 1989, officers have been subject to the Supreme Court order defined in federal Graham v. Connor, which includes the statement, “the facts and circumstances related to the use of force should drive the analysis, rather than any improper intent or motivation by the officer who used force.” Police takedowns are physical control techniques designed to bring suspects safely to the ground, occurring in approximately 21% of use-of-force incidents nationwide. Research indicates injury rates when force is used are estimated in a wide range, from 17 – 64%, with most injuries being minor bruises or strains. Data from the University of Illinois Chicago’s Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project states that 12.6% of civilians hospitalized from law enforcement encounters suffered traumatic brain injuries.

Texas law, as will law in all 50 states, mandates comprehensive use-of-force training for all officers. This training emphasizes de-escalation and proportional response. As Texas Government Code states, officers must provide “first aid or treatment to the extent of the officer’s skill and training” when encountering injured persons. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis indefinitely suspended the Officer, calling his actions “reprehensible.”

Should 2026 Fiscal Year Funding Concern the Brain Injured?

President Trump signed S.1071 into law on December 18, 2025. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 was sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn (TX), and co-sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (TX), and received bipartisan support in Congress. The House passed the measure 312-112 on December 10, with the Senate approving it 77-20 one week later.

Similar to the redesignation of the Department of Defense as the Department of War, the $900 billion defense package appears to focus more on military action than research  As early as May 2025, ESPN reported, “The Trump administration’s 2026 fiscal budget request to Congress eliminates major federal funding for traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and education, potentially undercutting efforts to address head injuries in sports, particularly at the high school and youth levels.” The 2024 funding bill also included decreased funding for brain injury research. 

Whether the bill affects treatment options and research, and to what level, is to be seen.* It appears that some broader funding can be given to any study, even if it goes above the mandated TBI research amount. Additionally, most of the plentiful research I report on seems to be unrelated to the Department of War.

*Only one day prior to the signing of S.1071, Rep. Lori Trahan (MA) introduced H.R.6823 – “To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program to facilitate the development of certain traumatic brain injury diagnostics for members of the Armed Forces.” On that day, December 17, 2025, it was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. Since that time, no further action has been taken.

McNabb Continues to Address “Cruelty”

Over 69,000 TBI-related deaths occur annually in the United States, yet survivors face mockery rather than support:

Recently, Payton McNabb—who suffered a traumatic brain injury during a 2022 volleyball game—was mocked by transgender comedian Stacy Cay, who called footage of McNabb’s injury “pretty funny” and criticized her for falling “like a toddler.” McNabb responded powerfully to those repugnant so-called jokes: “A grown man mocking a teenage girl’s traumatic brain injury isn’t comedy—it’s cruelty.” This is particularly notable since transgender discrimination is often at the foreword of the news and “cruelty” is one note that is used to rightfully describe it.

In schools, students with TBI face bullying from peers and even faculty. As for American adults, the percentage who have had a TBI, and are living with its consequences, ranges from 19-29%, according to recent statistics. Adults experience workplace discrimination in many ways, despite federal protections. These laws, specifically the 1996 TBI Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, ostensibly protect survivors from discrimination but do not eliminate the problem.

Unrelated to McNabb’s trauma, President Trump previously dismissed TBIs as “just a headache”, in reference to service members. This 2020 ignorant statement is, unfortunately, shared by many who have no first- or second-hand experience with brain injury. As commonly is the case for those who interact with those who have a neurological injury, President Trump’s understanding of brain injury and respect for brain injury survivors has since changed. Recently, he honored Payton McNabb at his Congressional address. (McNabb also addressed the North Carolina General Assembly in 2023 and her bio is currently available to view in the congressional record.)

Parties Unite to Combat TBI-Linked Veteran Suicides

Reports have found that hundreds of thousands of American troops have sustained a traumatic brain injury since 2000. Similarly, a 2024 Department of War report revealed that troops regularly exposed to blasts faced suicide rates roughly twice as high as service members in noncombat roles. To address these sobering realities, on November 6, 2025 [when the government was officially shutdown], Senators Dave McCormick (PA) and Jacky Rosen (NV) introduced the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act.

According to official text, the S.3130 will establish a program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to award grants, “to develop, implement, and evaluate approaches and methodologies for prospective randomized control trials for neurorehabilitation treatments for the treatment of chronic mild traumatic brain injury in veterans,” as current TBI treatments often fall short. By prioritizing cutting-edge research and complementing existing VA efforts like the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grants program, the initiative aims to close critical treatment gaps and proactively reduce the underlying conditions that contribute to veteran suicide.

“As I think about the soldiers I served alongside, I feel this issue deeply,” said Senator McCormick, a West Point graduate and combat veteran. “Our veterans deserve access to innovative and groundbreaking TBI treatments that will enhance their quality of life and finally address the suicide epidemic among servicemembers.” Senator Rosen concurred: “Our veterans put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms, and they deserve every resource available to heal from the invisible wounds of service.”

The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where supporters hope it will gain momentum as part of a broader push to address veteran mental health care.