Cannabis and Military Service
Currently, the use of cannabis by any enlisted military personnel is strictly banned. However many in the military have used cannabis for recreational and medical reasons. Many Veterans have been known to use cannabis to treat PTSD and physical injuries sustained during service, but during active duty is a different story.
For years, the military has stuck to testing recruits' urine for THC. Penalties are swift and range from suspension, to demotion, and overtime. Failure to pass a drug test before enlisting jeopardizes your chances of joining the military and can result in criminal charges.
Delta-9-THC is the most common substance that sees military personnel test positive on drug tests. Recently however some U.S. military branches have been attempting to ease strict marijuana regulations with moves such as granting exemptions to those who test positive for THC for the first time.
Alcohol was commonly used by American troops during the Vietnam War, Cannabis was the second most widely used substance in the war. A survey from 1976 revealed that between 1967 and 1971 34% of soldiers used cannabis. Interestingly 10% of those had never used cannabis before deployment. By 1971, more soldiers were withdrawing from Vietnam because of drug use than war injuries.
Should soldiers be allowed to use cannabis off-duty?
Enlisting in the modern military does not sit well with being incapacitated by alcohol or drugs as it poses risks to discipline and performance across all ranks and areas of enlistment. Military willingness is at risk every time someone fails a test and needs to be excused from military service.
Off-duty use is another situation altogether with some suggesting it poses no more risk than off-duty alcohol use but as long as cannabis remains a banned substance, it will remain in direct conflict with the interests and policies of any government agency.
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Liz Filmer
