No Room for THC
As the use of medical marijuana is on the rise, it’s important to keep in mind Service Members are prohibited from using any form of marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), or hemp products, including for medical purposes and regardless of the product’s claimed or actual concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Even if products are legal under state law, they are illegal to have or use for any Service Member or civilian working, living or visiting a base or installation, including family members and other guests. The use of any THC, CBD or hemp product may be subject to punishment under Article 92(1), UCMJ. Violations may also result in administrative action; criminal prosecution under federal or state laws; or, for National Guard members, disciplinary action under state military codes.
As a Service member, it’s important you understand these rules and communicate them to your friends and family members who visit or live with you on base. Service members are subject to randomly scheduled urine tests to check for drug usage. You can face disciplinary charges if the test comes back positive. Visitors may be subject to random searches when entering a military base. Entry typically requires an escort who has a valid Department of Defense (DoD) identification.
If a visitor was found with a hemp product in their possession:
- The service member could face disciplinary action.
- The visitor may be subject to federal criminal charges.
Examples of prohibited products include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Products that are injected, inhaled or otherwise introduced into the human body
- Food products
- Transdermal patches
- Topical lotions and oils
- Soaps and shampoos
- Cosmetic products that are applied directly to the skin
This prohibition will not apply to:
- Authorized personnel in performance of medical duties.
- Service members who use products without knowledge that the product was made or derived from hemp (including CBD) where that lack of knowledge is honest and reasonable.
- The use of durable goods containing hemp, such as rope or clothing.
The ingestion, consumption or use of cannabinoid formulations is only allowed for FDA-approved drugs for which the individual must have a valid DoD approved prescription. Examples include:
- Marinol: Used to treat loss of appetite that causes weight loss in people with AIDS.
- Syndros: A prescription medicine used in adults to treat nausea and vomiting caused by anti-cancer medicine and loss of appetite due to AIDS.
- Epidiolex: Used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome or tuberous sclerosis complex.