According to an official, the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs will permit use of medical marijuana at its hospitals and clinics in states where it is legal.

The New York Times reported on Friday that the department is expected to issue a directive next week clarifying policy on medical pot. The newspaper also said that the policy will not authorize doctors to prescribe medical marijuana but it is expected to provide some protection for military veterans against losing access to pain medication for using pot.

The department is "beholden to federal law" even though some states have legalized pot, Dr. Robert Jesse, the principal Veterans Department deputy under secretary for health, told the Times.

He said, "We didn't want patients who were legally using marijuana to be administratively denied access to pain management programs."

Fourteen states permit medical use of marijuana but it remains illegal under federal law.

The newspaper further said that the policy will permit doctors to modify treatment plans for veterans who use marijuana and will not be required to prescribe pain medicine if drug interaction is a potential problem. (With Inputs from Agencies)