If marijuana becomes federally legal, do you think the DoD will allow it?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 22:33:05 -0400

Okay it's only a matter of time that marijuana will become federally legal , I am personally from california so I am no stranger to the substance , all though I am completely sober besides alcohol I do believe responsible soldiers should have the right to smoke if it becomes federally legal , what do y'all think? Do you think the DoD will allow?

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Apr 25 at 2018 10:53 PM

MAJ Jim Steven — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 22:53:18 -0400

i question the problem with the use of marijuana.
I grew up in the "just say no" times....drugs were bad, people were supposedly outside the elementary play ground trying to get us addicted, and once addicted, we would be stealing from grandma to support our habit. Then, I went to college....and now, 20 years later....
how can a soldier get black out drunk the night before and be able to operate a forklift the next mornign...but, if he smoked weed two days ago...he needs to be kicked out of the military???
I will say this....as soon as my parents come down with cancer, I want pot to be an option....

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 25 at 2018 11:00 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 23:00:28 -0400

I seriously doubt it- do you have alcohol in the field, in combat in the FOB- They had MJ in Vietnam- it killed people end of story!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2018 11:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 23:42:03 -0400

No and no.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2018 11:53 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 23:53:42 -0400

No. I saw the effects of marijuana use in Vietnam and stateside, and so did the military. It will never be legal for government workers or many critical jobs like airline pilots. At my civilian job, we had random drug tests and there many folks fired for drug use. I had a friend that left government work, along with the drug testing. She later killed two people with her vehicle after using marijuana.

Response by CSM Patrick Durr made Apr 26 at 2018 2:02 AM

CSM Patrick Durr — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 02:02:32 -0400

If that's your mindset, PV2 Hansen, just get out now and smoke all you want. The military should be held to a much greater standard always.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 26 at 2018 9:34 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 09:34:20 -0400

Given that THC can stay in your body for months after use, I doubt DoD will ever authorize the use of MJ. Alcohol metabolizes in a few hours (depending on amount, body size, metabolism, etc) but certain MOS/AFSC still prohibit its use within X number of hours before duty.

As a Paramedic, we are seeing a rise in accidents caused by MJ users. It may be a local issue but I've seen more and more instances where the MJ has been laced with other drugs as well. Meth, heroin, and even cocaine has shown up in toxicology screens. For that reason alone, I don't foresee DoD allowing it's use.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 10:34 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 10:34:59 -0400

The military hates 3 things: sleep, hair, and fun.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 11:17 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 11:17:15 -0400

I would say NO to any type of drugs when performing any critical duties or missions. But now on the flip side of the coin it's being used for Medical purposes and we know the Docs give plenty of Vitamin M but in the future will those in uniform be able to take Cannabis? I support for Medical use even if a member is serving on Active Duty. Also if Alcohol is served Cannabis should also be available if it's not against the many laws which control individual liberty. But once the Government owns you or you've given your soul to them...obey or face the music. So why is Pharmacy Industry allowed to sell drugs that kill? Just because it's a Law does not make it just or in the best interest of all individuals. What's the difference between Cannabis and say for example Hydrocodone? I would say the difference is the way our Government makes laws to protect and support certain organizations or People and laws to restrict and control specific groups of People (Truth). Cannabis is a plant just like many other plants we used each day on this Planet. The plant has been used since this Planet was born and the negative spin especially the Racial spin regarding the R Madness of the Black Man using Cannabis and Raping White Women is fake brainwashing sent out by a Crooked Politicians just to put many innocent Americans in Prison! The system keeps on feeding itself at the expense of others and sooner or later it's going to fail. Our Ancestors used Cannabis and there's nothing wrong with responsible use....just legalize and let our Brothers and Sisters out of the Prison complex!

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Apr 26 at 2018 11:21 AM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 11:21:36 -0400

No they wouldn't allow it. Why would they? They want to ban tobacco on installations - so why would they allow marijuana if federally legalized?

Look how many DUIs we have in the entire Army - so most people aren't responsible with alcohol. We have underage drinking. Do you really think that many people would be responsible with marijuana? And how is one responsible? I doubt most people know their limit with marijuana.

I think federally it should be legal. It makes sense. In the military? It's not going to happen.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Apr 26 at 2018 1:02 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:02:12 -0400

Do you really need that shit Pvt Hansen? When would you plan on smoking it? Off duty? Did you know that smoking weed is ok in some states but the Feds are still cracking down on its use in others. Would you like to be caught using when the legality of Marijuana is being questioned even now in states that allow it. I don't think it will ever be legal in the military.

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 26 at 2018 1:18 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:18:49 -0400

I personally think it should be allowed and treated just like alcohol. If they mess up, then deal with it. Other than that there should be very little said about it.

Most of the military's problems are self inflicted. Why is it so hard to figure out that when you treat people like kids, degrade them, and generally lack any modicum of common sense, people need a release from that. So they go get obliterated. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out.

Why is it that civilian DOD employees don't seem to have nearly the widespread problems that the military side has? Same organizations, same senior leaders, same policy letters, but yet we don't have nearly as many DUIs or other problems like we see on the green suit side. We don't have safety briefings, my boss doesn't tell me what to do every moment of every day, we don't have POV inspections, and no one inspects my house. So if we do none of the so called risk mitigation things you all do, why is it that we don't have the same problems?

Perhaps we should remember the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Safety briefings every Friday, and yet the SMs still do EVERYTHING you tell them not to do. They still get DUIs, beat their family members, sexually assault people, do drugs, steal, and tons of other things. Maybe, just maybe, there needs to be a change made...perhaps starting with how leaders treat their troops.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 1:31 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:31:51 -0400

I vote no.

I drink and smoke tobacco...the former in moderation (well, at least my wife says I do), the latter way beyond the pale of reason. Both are legal, and both can inhibit performance, particularly in terms of readiness for combat training and operations. Personally, I think weed carries a bigger sting in its tail than anyone wants to admit, but would feel like a hypocrite demanding it stay illegal. However, I think service members should be self-disciplined enough to avoid putting things into their bodies than can countermand the time and effort expended to make them competent war-fighters. I went from two packs a day to zero in three days after I hit the 'Stan...largely because it wasn't congruent with the mission.

Response by Sgt Adrian Jones made Apr 26 at 2018 2:03 PM

Sgt Adrian Jones — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:03:58 -0400

Unlike most here I see alcohol,Marijuana, caffeine pills( a lot of Marines abuse during conveys during deployment) as drugs. Some people of addictive personalities they latch onto certain things sex,drugs, working out, cigarettes it can be anything really. I saw a Marine smoke half a pack before a PFT barely past the 3 mile run then complain about not doing better. Marijuana is not going to change anything just another thing for military personnel to become addicted to. I do think that Marijuana we become legal at some point, it shouldn't be treated any different from alcohol. All these things I listed have an adverse affect on ones body...sex included( albeit a good one). Any military member thats wants to smoke should only be allowed on their on time, not schedule for duty....

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 2:32 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:32:57 -0400

Doubt it will ever happen.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 26 at 2018 4:04 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 16:04:59 -0400

" If marijuana becomes federally legal, do you think the DoD will allow it?"
No

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Apr 26 at 2018 5:10 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 17:10:51 -0400

I say active duty no...Detriment to good order and discipline. We don't need guys and gals coming down off a high going on patrol or flying airplanes or taking the helm of a ship (already have enough problems with ships running into stuff)...not a good idea...plus we would have to purchase more food at the DFACs to cover the munchies.

For medical purposes in the VA...maybe. I tell you I watch my dad, my wife's aunt and uncle and others suffer from incurable cancer and if this would have given them relief I would have been all for it. For veterans with documented chronic pain, I am for the medical use of it.

Response by SPC Jeff Gilbert made Apr 27 at 2018 7:18 PM

SPC Jeff Gilbert — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 19:18:37 -0400

Do you not realize what weed does to you reaction time as well as the slowing of thought patterns altogether? Why in the hell would they allow that. Wanna smoke pot, find a different career

Response by SGT Warren Crutcher made Mar 26 at 2023 3:42 PM

SGT Warren Crutcher — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 15:42:34 -0400

I think it's a big mistake to legalize the use of Marijuana. The reason i say this is because when it is legalized your just incentivizing the Cartels. Almost every state that has legalized it's use and opened these store fronts are actually being ran by Cartels in the back ground. Cartels are not going to allow anyone, legal or otherwise to horde in on their business. The Federal Government is only looking to Legalize it so they can keep you stoned and that way you won't care what else they are doing. Just my opinion.