The House Armed Services Committee recently released a draft text of its National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision that could eliminate marijuana testing for potential military recruits and officers. This change is significant, as the use of marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, but recreational use has been legalized in 23 states and medical use is allowed in 38 states.
The provision would prohibit the military from requiring recruits to take a test for cannabis as a condition of enlisting or commissioning. This change is part of a broader effort to make it easier for people to join the military, which has been struggling with recruitment due to the large number of young Americans who are ineligible to serve.
According to a recent Gallup poll, 12% of Americans aged 18 to 29 report regularly using marijuana, which is a significant demographic for military recruiting. As the military services continue to face recruitment challenges, officials and lawmakers have been looking for ways to make it easier for people to join.
The federal government has also taken steps to ease restrictions on marijuana. This week, the Justice Department announced that it is moving forward with the process to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, which would allow it to be prescribed under highly regulated circumstances.
President Joe Biden has expressed support for this change, stating that it is “monumental” and that “far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana.” The military branches have also taken steps to make past marijuana use less of a barrier to joining. The Air Force, Navy, and Army have all implemented programs that allow recruits who test positive for marijuana to retest or apply for waivers.
The inclusion of this provision in the draft NDAA text increases its chances of becoming law, but it still needs to survive several legislative steps before it is finalized. While some Republicans may continue to oppose relaxing rules around marijuana, lawmakers from both parties have been shifting their attitudes towards the drug in recent years.
The Pentagon has also been exploring the use of psychedelic drugs as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, which is another sign of the growing recognition of the need to reevaluate the nation’s drug policies. The potential changes to marijuana testing for military recruits are an important step in this direction, and could help make it easier for people to serve their country while also addressing the nation’s drug policies.
