Posted on Sep 17, 2021
A1C Chris Pointer
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Now that marijuana has been legalized in the majority of the US and the stigma against it has changed, smoking weed is akin to smoking cigarettes, and some would argue smoking cigarettes is more harmful. I was looking at the Army DRB and they seem to be approving or changing discharges for people who were discharge solely for marijuana usage. I’m not 100% sure but I assume it’s because the narrative surrounding weed has changed.

So in your opinion should the military as a whole upgrade or edit discharges that were based solely on marijuana usage?
Posted in these groups: Military men DischargeDrug DrugsImgres LawAa636cc5 DD214
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Responses: 31
SGT Joseph Gunderson
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No. Even if marijuana is legalized on the federal level in the future, these individuals still broke the law when they decided to get high. Alcohol is perfectly legal, but if a Soldier is caught drunk on duty they, too, will be punished.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
SGT Joseph Gunderson
3 y
A1C Chris Pointer If that was the regulation, then yes.
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LtCol Robert Quinter
LtCol Robert Quinter
3 y
A1C Chris Pointer - So the "blue discharge" ended in 47; the general under honorable or less than honorable conditions was issued based upon overall performance, meaning, if a serviceperson exhibited continuous conduct less than his contemporaries he potentially received the less than honorable. To earn less than average conduct evaluations meant that the individual was subject to administrative action to correct conduct deficiencies. The old saw about drugs, booze and firearms not being killers is irrelevant. People make decisions that result in other peoples' death or injury and should be held accountable for those decisions. Regarding Lemon, his actions earned him the medal.
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A1C Chris Pointer
A1C Chris Pointer
3 y
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LtCol Robert Quinter
LtCol Robert Quinter
3 y
A1C Chris Pointer - The article talks of "injustice" and new reversals, but never explains how the individuals were not disobedient of regulations in effect at the time. Compliance with group standards of conduct and unity of purpose were as important 75 years ago as they are now, and utilizing a standard that was changed 75 years ago is irrelevant.
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CWO4 Terrence Clark
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No. They willfully broke law and regs. The fact that states are changing their laws does not excuse that.

"Some would argue smoking cigarettes is more harmful" . Some also argue the opposite.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
SSG Roger Ayscue
3 y
A1C Chris Pointer - Yes it is fair because they did not keep their oaths! They did not serve honorably! They deserved the Big Chicken Dinner (BCD: Bad Conduct Discharge) that their disobedience to the regulation earned them. They placed getting high ahead of their duty, ahead of their honor, ahead of the oath they took to follow the regulations.
No way no how should they be upgraded nor should anyone forget that they were people of Dishonor.
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A1C Chris Pointer
A1C Chris Pointer
3 y
SSG Roger Ayscue I think this is a funny response. Especially SM are always preaching about taking care of veterans, but are then quick to condem them to lives of hardship for the smallest thing
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SSG Roger Ayscue
SSG Roger Ayscue
3 y
A1C Chris Pointer - The littlest thing? Getting high and failing to do your duty.
Putting getting high ahead of your job as a member of the armed forces? IF you had to serve in combat next to a stoner you would not think the way you do... OR are YOU a stoner that can't understand why it is so bad?
I think maybe you are a stoner and you don't want to get into trouble when you melt the bottom of the Piss test bottle...
IF you can't control getting high then get OUT of the service and make room for someone that can obey orders
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LtCol Robert Quinter
LtCol Robert Quinter
3 y
A1C Chris Pointer - Would you be willing to fly on an aircraft repaired by an individual under the influence? As a pilot I would not consider that a small thing. Save the honorable discharge for those who performed their duties consistent with the regs and placed the welfare of others above their desire for an escape from reality.
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SSgt Owner/Operator
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At this time Marijuana is still considered illegal at the federal level. And it is the federal level that impacts military law and discharges. Not saying it is a bad idea, just a lot of hurdles to overcome yet.
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