U.S. Navy Softens Approach to Cannabis Among Recruits

The U.S. Navy is updating its recruitment policies to accommodate individuals who test positive for THC as it aims to mitigate recruitment shortages. This policy adjustment is part of broader military efforts to adapt to societal and legal shifts regarding cannabis, including considerations for veterans' health and Congressional moves to allow VA doctors to prescribe medical cannabis.

In response to an ongoing recruitment crisis, the U.S. Navy is taking steps to increase the number of recruits by changing its policy on cannabis.

Under new guidelines, recruits arriving at the Recruit Training Command center who initially test positive for THC – the main psychoactive component of cannabis – will no longer be automatically sent home.

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Policy Change in Response to Legal Changes

Adm. James Waters, director of the Navy’s personnel plans and policy division, emphasized that the aim of this change is to reflect the current legal status of cannabis in society.

“We are aware that many states have legalized cannabis,” he stated, adding that the more lenient approach to THC test results is limited only to cannabis and does not apply to other drugs.

This policy is part of a series of actions taken by the military to combat recruitment shortages. To achieve its 2024 recruitment goal of enlisting 40,000 new sailors, the Navy aims to reduce the number of individuals dropping out of boot camp, which currently stands at about 10%.

Over the past few years, especially after the legalization of cannabis, various military branches have informed their ranks about specific cannabis-related rules. The Navy had already announced in 2018 that its members could not use CBD and cannabis products, regardless of their legality. In 2022, the Naval War College warned soldiers and sailors about new cannabis products on the market.

Veterans and Cannabis

Military veterans have long been a driving force in the drug reform movement, partly because they have used cannabis to treat health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and as an alternative to opioids.

Previous studies have shown that 6 out of 10 veterans support the legalization of cannabis, and over 72% support the ability of doctors from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to legally prescribe cannabis.

In Congress, efforts are underway to allow VA doctors to issue recommendations for medical cannabis to veterans living in states where it is legal.

Summary

The U.S. Navy’s policy shift regarding cannabis, reflecting changes in society and law, highlights an evolution in the approach to recruits who use cannabis. This initiative, along with similar actions by other branches of the armed forces, aims to minimize the loss of potential recruits while adapting to the changing social and legal realities surrounding cannabis.

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(Featured image by Official U.S. Navy Page (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr)

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Suzanne Mitchell

Suzanne Mitchell juggles the busy life of a full-time mom and entrepreneur while also being a writer-at-large for several business publications. Her work mostly covers the financial sector, including traditional and alternative investing. She shares reports and analyses on the real estate, fintech and cryptocurrency markets. She also likes to write about the health and biotech industry, in particular its intersection with clean water and cannabis. It is one of her goals to always share things of interest to women who want to make their mark in the world.