Marijuana is legal in some states and now being considered by the Federal Government.

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 18:20:23 -0500

Once that happens do you think that the military will follow suit? Will pot still be illegal in the Armed Forces. There are several thing that are legal as a civilian that are not as a service member. Like adultery. Where do you think this issue will be 5 years from now?

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 14 at 2013 7:49 PM

CMC Robert Young — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:49:06 -0500

I don't think that there will be a significant change in posture. The unfortunate reality is that the services are already encountering regular difficulties with members abusing alcoholic beverages (a legal central nervous system depressant) as well as a myriad of illegal drugs. To introduce another "legal" option into the mix seems to be counterproductive; particularly in light of the increased focus on health, well being, physical fitness, proper diet, and other associated life style issues.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2013 8:33 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 20:33:52 -0500

I don't drink, I don't smoke or use any other so called "recreational drugs".

However, if you want to know exactly where this issue will be in the future, look at the documentary titled Prohibition by Ken Burns (it can be found in Netflex).

The reality is everything in excess is bad, but when something is prohibit, "greed" will always make it assessable at a higher cost to society.

I see it being legalized, heavily regulated and heavily taxed, which I don't oppose.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2013 9:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:24:45 -0500

That's the last thing we need in the military, lets look at drinking and driving and see how many soldiers we loose due to that, so last thing we need is weed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2013 11:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 23:36:12 -0500

I do not think the military will follow suit, however I don't see this legislation ending well.....at all.

Response by CPT Mike M. made Nov 15 at 2013 11:59 AM

CPT Mike M. — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 11:59:14 -0500

I figure in time it would be treated exactly the same as alcohol. You can't have it on duty, can't have it during deployments, and you can't show up to work the day after a bender and still have the effects of it affecting you. I'm not sure if such a test already exists but since THC stays in your system so long, I figure a test will have to be made and used to determine how long ago an individual used it, basically as the equivalent of taking a Soldier who shows up to work Drunk on Duty to get his BAC. And personally, I don't think it'd be a problem if my long term prediction happened. And that's coming from someone who didn't spend HS and college enjoying "recreational drugs"!

Response by SGT Chris Birkinbine made Nov 15 at 2013 12:48 PM

SGT Chris Birkinbine — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 12:48:59 -0500

If we are talking medically, than I would see anyone getting a legitimate prescription for long term marijuana use being discharged from the military the same way people who turn out being diabetic are.

If you are just talking regular use, then no, I don't think it will be allowed in the military.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2013 12:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 12:59:42 -0500

But legal for medicinal purposes yes? And if so for those Soldiers, Vets, family members who benefit from the treatment, then great. Of course I would assume there would be something listed in their medical records exempting them from UAs (Soldiers) and such.

Things could definitely change and the organization revamps itself and definitely if the AMEDD system fights the pros of the drug use with Big ARMY.

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2013 1:19 PM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 13:19:24 -0500

Not with all the other issues with alcohol and illegal drugs. Now you want to throw weed in the mix? Hemp products are not allowed for use in the Army and it will probably stay that way.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Nov 15 at 2013 2:07 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 14:07:14 -0500

What I think we will see is everyone diagnosed with PTSD can be prescribed it. Then PTSD diagnosis are going to skyrocket.

Response by SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET. made May 20 at 2014 12:44 PM

SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET. — Tue, 20 May 2014 12:44:16 -0400

I don't see it being legal in the Military for Service members, But it seems that what ever POB says is good/OK take roots with his many fans. Therefore I can see it becoming Legal Nation wide in a few years.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 17 at 2014 12:38 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 12:38:06 -0400

For the life of me I can not figure out why, if there truly is medicinal value in marijuana, as has been proven in some cases, the FDA doesn't take control of it as with any other narcotic or psychotropic drug. You make it a controlled substance requiring an Rx for it and that's the end of that.

If we want to look at it in the same light as alcohol - a recreational stimulant - It would have to be dealt with in the same manner as a soldier reporting for duty intoxicated or drinking on duty. The difference is that like Rx drugs, THC and other derivative chemicals stay in your system weeks after use unlike alcohol.

I can see it now - the JCOS brass sitting in a conference room at the puzzle palace hashing out "pot policy" while passing around a doobie. You know it's coming.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Sep 18 at 2014 12:40 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 12:40:42 -0400

Marijuana is a touchy subject. The reality is simple... Like a cigarette it is smoked (though not as many in day...I don't think). So therefore we have potential long term health risk (medical professionals explain my misunderstanding or agree either is welcomed), which needs to be studied. What about second hand smoke? Yes there are also health benefits. Same can be said for wine.

I am a non-smoker, so I am against any of it. However Marijuana is no worse than having beers which is deemed socially acceptable (in moderation). Speaking as a former MP (Police Officers/MP's agree or disagree please), I was never called for a domestic dispute for someone 'whacked out' on Marijuana. Drunk and disorderly, yes. Drunk and abusive, yes. Domestic dispute because of alcohol, yes. But any of these from Marijuana... not that I am aware. Unless it was laced or combined with something else... But the average 'pot' smokers aren't violent or whatever.

Now, there are other considerations, operating machinery, vehicles, performing duty.... That is another debate.

But I don't rate Marijuana with Meth, Cocaine, Designer Drugs... It, in my opinion, is like cigarettes and alcohol (beer, wine, liquor). But not as destructive... all the cancer and health issues of cigarettes. The impairment of alcohol... you can't compare a whiskey drunk to a Marijuana high. I would rather deal with a crowd of 'potheads' than one angry drunk.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 15 at 2014 11:31 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 23:31:51 -0400

I'll play devil's advocate, but only for retirees and veterans. I don't puff puff, but I am allowed to have all the narcotics I want for the rest of my life until my liver gives out. I have a feeling that morphine is worse on my body than marijuana is. One is legal, one isn't. If they made a pill that is marijuana and legal, would I take it? I couldn't operate machinery either way. I don't drink (anymore) but alcohol is legal. Alcohol is a huge contributer to problems within the military. All I know is that if anyone tries to ban coffee, I'm Audi 5000.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 11:44 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 23:44:48 -0400

Legal here in Washington state and still zero tolerance with many local governments and grounds for termination. So I believe if the fed legalized the use would still be zero tolerance in the military. And a side note, the state is making loads of money on the sale but still complaining the state is broke and looking for more ideas to tax us.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 12:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 12:50:06 -0400

I don't think in 5years from now it will be allowed but who knows, anything could change as in the tattoo policy. (Yes i know completely different but things change all the time)

As a current pot smoker (being out of the military) I enjoy my occasional puff here and there. I don't abuse it just as I do when I drink. Though there will always be someone out there abusing it and ruining it for everyone else. While I was in there was some days it would have been nice on the weekend just to kick back a joint and beer but the beer did its job. I didn't push my limits or cave into it. Once I got out into the civilian world it was nice to finally get off work for the weekend and kick back to relax.

If they do allow it one day in the military I believe it will be ran as a study on Soldiers to see how they cope with work, waking up, doing the daily life as a Soldier. Right now I wouldn't want to see any one coming into work high cause you know it will happen, just as it does with drinking.

One day maybe but not anytime soon.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 18 at 2015 12:21 AM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 00:21:34 -0400

No... Not initially, but eventually, I believe they/we would...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 12:35 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 00:35:25 -0400

They might over time.. Me personally would be against it for military or mainly during deployment. Because if you eat my last bag of funyuns while we are on mission a connex fight would likely follow.

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Mar 18 at 2015 7:54 AM

Cpl Christopher Bishop — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 07:54:39 -0400

Doubt it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 12:42 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:42:48 -0400

The military has its own set of laws (UCMJ), they might change it but it will be slower than the rest of the country's legalization. That's just my opinion, I'll probably come back later with more research to have a more definitive answer.

Response by CSM Thomas Ray made Feb 15 at 2023 7:21 PM

CSM Thomas Ray — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 19:21:04 -0500

I think the process will start with the VA, making it legal for veterans with chronic pain, PTSD, and other problems, and then gradually make it legal. It is ridiculous to throw someone in jail for smoking a joint and it has a purpose for medicinal purposes. Most states that approve medicinal pot limit the THC and only allow ingestion, not smoking. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but at least it is a start. I have to limit the pills I take for back injury, just to save my liver and kidneys, and it would be much easier to smoke weed.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 16 at 2023 8:14 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 08:14:41 -0500

Point after point, as many opinions as people, which is great. For me it comes down to policy and control. For me I follow the law. If the law changes I think that smoking should not be allowed in doors or public environments based on the contact hi. There are of course many other delivery platforms that would be perfectly acceptable in any environment. There would then be multiple challenges as to whether the desired delivery platform places someone under an influence not acceptable in a work environment. Example, like alcohol, how is the level of toxicity determined for Marijuana.

It will come to pass.