Residents and employees of Missouri's seven nursing homes for veterans will not be allowed to use medical marijuana.
Missouri Veterans Commission Executive Director Grace Link said Monday the state must prohibit the use of medical marijuana at the homes in order to comply with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which considers pot an illegal drug.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the decision affects about 1,350 residents of homes in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Warrensburg, Mount Vernon, St. James, Cape Girardeau, Mexico and Cameron.
Federal funds pay part of the more than $80 million needed to operate the homes and Missouri officials don't want to jeopardize that revenue.
Missouri voters approved the use of medical marijuana in November. Shops are expected to open early next year.
