Posted on Jan 2, 2016
Do you think legalizing marijuana will benefit or hurt the military?
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Marijuana
Military Career
Benefits
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 52
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SSG Keven Lahde I think it has no place in the military and society, however I know medically speaking there are some advantages. I think it will hurt the military, because the military is about the defense of our nation not to advocate drugs.
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MAJ Jim Henderson
I found that in dealing with soldiers that were drunk it was always a fight to get them settled down and to the point where we could deal with. The soldiers that were high on marijuana tended to be more mellow and easier to deal with. If you allow alcohol then you need to very seriously consider allowing marijuana.
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Maj (Join to see)
SGT Virgil Huston - there is also a sublingual spray that is FDA approved called Sativex. Any medical doctor can write for it in all 50 states but to reiterate my point above, if a soldier needs that and has exhausted all other alternatives then that person is probably unfit to remain in the military. We don't allow alcoholics by regulation to remain active nor should we allow habitual users of any other substance to remain. The political and legal ramifications of using legal substances or prescribed substances will have to be determined by those at a much higher pay grade. My personal opinion is that even if legalized it should not be allowed or be highly controlled (ie no use within 24 hours of returning to duty if on leave).
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Maj (Join to see)
SGT Virgil Huston - Oh trust me I know. I have to write plenty of waivers for all the meds people are on. I don't think the military does a very good job at preventive medicine to keep these folks from needing all these meds in the first place. There is a severe shortage of psychiatric care in the military and it's much easier for them to prescribe a medication than actually treat the patient. Back to the topic, however, Marijuana is not controlled or delivered the same way on any consecutive use. It's extremely difficult to manage and monitor dosage and effects. A prescription medication on the other hand will always give the exact same dose +/- 2% every time it is taken. Sativex was a Marijuana product I mentioned that does have FDA approval and will deliver a near 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC, with a fixed dose of 2.7 mg THC and 2.5 mg CBD with each spray. The two biggest complaints are that it costs way too much ($1400/month) and it doesn't give the same effects as other routes (it doesn't get you high). I would only be OK with Marijuana in other highly controlled and regulated products. And to be clear, I'm not a fan of a soldier being on a benzo, narcotic, muscle relaxer, etc and still being allowed to do their job. It doesn't make sense to me when it is known that it cognitively impairs a person, decreases performance, and alters judgment.
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A1C Lisa Casserly
I am of two minds about this. I think that - from a clinical point of view, I'm not a user - pot might very well be less dangerous than tobacco or alcohol, which are both legal. And I think if a person wanted to use that they should be responsible with it... no driving under the influence, etc. Now, that being said, I must also point out that I am fully aware of how many military people get into trouble with legal alcohol. DUI, fighting, domestic violence, drunk on duty, late to work due to hang over, etc. I imagine as a high ranking enlisted person, you have had to come down on more than one person for this!! I have also been told by various Vets that it does a very good job of reducing the effects of PTSD. HOWEVER, again, with that being said... it is still an illegal substance in most places. And, even if a state or local government legalizes it, on the Federal level, its not legal. Further, the Soldier, Sailor, Marine and Airman have given up their rights under CIVIL LAW, and agreed to be judged with the UCMJ. As such, marijuana is a no-no. And the military person must abide by that.
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We're a decade or two off from "Legalization." We're currently in the "decriminalization" phase, and that is mostly at the State & Local level.
Decriminalization is a nuanced difference in that we are changing it from a Felony (heavily punishable offense) to a Misdemeanor/Civil Infraction (or non-enforced offense).
THC "if" comparable to alcohol as "impairing substance" is still detrimental to a Force that uses Industrial Level Equipment and Tools on a daily basis, such as Vehicles, and Weapons. It should be restricted as such. We don't let our folks drink on duty, or when expected to go on duty. We don't allow the use of Tobacco products inside government facilities. Policies should be the same for THC based products.
Decriminalization is a nuanced difference in that we are changing it from a Felony (heavily punishable offense) to a Misdemeanor/Civil Infraction (or non-enforced offense).
THC "if" comparable to alcohol as "impairing substance" is still detrimental to a Force that uses Industrial Level Equipment and Tools on a daily basis, such as Vehicles, and Weapons. It should be restricted as such. We don't let our folks drink on duty, or when expected to go on duty. We don't allow the use of Tobacco products inside government facilities. Policies should be the same for THC based products.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
PO1 John Miller - Hence my last line. The problem is we do not currently have said technology. Until the tech catches up, I lean towards "restriction of use" in the name of "Good order and Discipline."
This is strictly inside the Military. Outside the military, I believe that Drug Prohibition Policy needs a MAJOR Overhaul from the ground up.
This is strictly inside the Military. Outside the military, I believe that Drug Prohibition Policy needs a MAJOR Overhaul from the ground up.
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SGT Brian Patton
The only reason why I think it's even a bigger deal now is that it's harder to detect on a person, if your quiet wear shades in the rear nobody will know, it doesn't take a scientist to sweep the track line or pick up trash on the parade field or pick weeds out of the parade field. The days of the soldier being spit on and disgraced for doing his job will never go away but if a soldier can now say he's a women and undergo hormone treatment to make him grow breast and have tricare pay for it I thinking smoking can be intergrated into the military. Not to make our military hippies or trash but to take away from the UCMJ the ability to fire a great soldier for one hot piss test with no bad event occurring.
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TSgt Stephen Potter
The UCMJ does not fire great soldiers. It is the responsibility of the great soldiers to do the right thing, even when no one is looking.
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SGT Frank Yarum
SSgt S. Potter, fricking outstanding response. The young Military Soldiers of today are not held to the same tough standards as the Soldiers of yyesteryear.They are weaker minded and weaker spirited then we were back in the 80s and earlier. Basic Training was something to be feared and respected. When NCOs or Officers told you yo do something, unless it was an illegal order, you followed it no questions asked or answered. You dropped where you were at to do push-ups, no matter what the ground material was. There were no pads for PT. You ran in Combat Boots because that's what you will be wearing in combat, no sneakers. You give me 20 soldiers from Infantry Basic and AIT form 1980 and I would put them up against 100 Infantrymen that graduated from Basic and AIT in 2015.
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Nobody ever got any smarter or more effective using dope of any sort. It can only do for the soldier what pouring sand in the crankcase does to an engine. There can be no benefit to the military from legalizing pot.
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Using mind-altering substances, legal and illegal, has been nothing but trouble for the military and it's members. How many careers have ended over the abuse of alcohol or prescription drugs?
Legal or not to use, the results of imbibing are often bad.
Legal or not to use, the results of imbibing are often bad.
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Legalization of marijuana is a bad idea for everyone. Especially the military. Marijuana is not the innocent drug that some would like you to believe. A recent example would be the woman who killed multiple pedestrians in Las Vegas was under the influence of marijuana.
As someone who is a court certified Subject Matter Expert (SME) on marijuana and narcotics in general, I admit that I am biased. People need to remember that marijuana was once legal. It became illegal when society determined that it was harmful to society in general.
That being said, I do believe that in the short term, it will be legalized in the future. However, it will then become illegal again once society remembers its harmful effects.
People like to compare marijuana to alcohol. While both can be clearly abused, only alcohol has been shown to have a positive impact on ones health (used in moderation). There have been numerous studies that have verified the positive effect on the heart with daily alcohol use. Marijuana has been shown to have a very limited medical benefit. Mostly to counteract the negative effects of chemotherapy. Long term studies need to be conducted to determine the actual benefit (if any) of marijuana.
Today's marijuana is much stronger than in the past with huge increases of THC compared to 30 years ago. Allowing marijuana usage in the military would be akin to allowing soldiers to be drunk on duty or to be under the influence of other drugs (both legal and illegal).
Even if the rest of the county legalizes it, I don't see it ever being legalized in the military. No good could come of it.
As someone who is a court certified Subject Matter Expert (SME) on marijuana and narcotics in general, I admit that I am biased. People need to remember that marijuana was once legal. It became illegal when society determined that it was harmful to society in general.
That being said, I do believe that in the short term, it will be legalized in the future. However, it will then become illegal again once society remembers its harmful effects.
People like to compare marijuana to alcohol. While both can be clearly abused, only alcohol has been shown to have a positive impact on ones health (used in moderation). There have been numerous studies that have verified the positive effect on the heart with daily alcohol use. Marijuana has been shown to have a very limited medical benefit. Mostly to counteract the negative effects of chemotherapy. Long term studies need to be conducted to determine the actual benefit (if any) of marijuana.
Today's marijuana is much stronger than in the past with huge increases of THC compared to 30 years ago. Allowing marijuana usage in the military would be akin to allowing soldiers to be drunk on duty or to be under the influence of other drugs (both legal and illegal).
Even if the rest of the county legalizes it, I don't see it ever being legalized in the military. No good could come of it.
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SSG (Join to see)
Marijuana didn't became illegal because society determined it was harmful - it was after an anti-Mexican fear campaign that it became illegal in the US.
It was banned in the US in the early 1900s after an influx of Mexican immigrants from the Mexican Revolution brought it with them and also their practice of its recreational use. The resulting anti-"dirty Mexicans are dangerous" fear mongering and propaganda led to an anti-marijuana lobby, leading to increased regulation and eventually its outlaw. It was used in many medicines before that and a lot of propaganda-driven shitty science soon emerged to demonize it as "dangerous." Similar to, but the opposite of how cigarettes were "good" for you until relatively recently.
It was banned in the US in the early 1900s after an influx of Mexican immigrants from the Mexican Revolution brought it with them and also their practice of its recreational use. The resulting anti-"dirty Mexicans are dangerous" fear mongering and propaganda led to an anti-marijuana lobby, leading to increased regulation and eventually its outlaw. It was used in many medicines before that and a lot of propaganda-driven shitty science soon emerged to demonize it as "dangerous." Similar to, but the opposite of how cigarettes were "good" for you until relatively recently.
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CPT Quentin von Éfáns-Taráfdar
There is a fundamental difference between MJ (or any drug) and alcohol. One can drink without becoming intoxicated (or the intent of becoming intoxicated) but drugs are taken for the sole purpose of becoming intoxicated.
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Cpl David Mcavoy
It became illegal after the failed prohibition on alcohol. One or two puffs is relaxing and is similar to one or two beer. Most don't stop at one or two beers though
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CPT Quentin von Éfáns-Taráfdar
PO1 Dean Chapman - Anything consumed will have some affect but again I must point out it is the desire to become "high" of MJ users that makes it distinct from alcohol use where that is not necessarily the intent.
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SSG Keven Lahde
Even if ever becomes 100% legal for recreational use, I have a feeling that MJ will always be banned for use by military members.
Even if ever becomes 100% legal for recreational use, I have a feeling that MJ will always be banned for use by military members.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
PO1 John Miller I agree, it just not military as I describe in my thread.
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You ever had a hang over while serving as an infantrymen? Yea me too, everyday! If guys can smoke say goodbye to hangovers, no more drunkin 5 mile runs, no more fighting downtown Ogden, Ks. No more picking up and marrying the toothless wonder by your Pvt during a 4 day weekend.
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SFC Arthur Tucker
If you have the problem with alcohol you should not be on the job. You should be going in for treatment.
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SSG Daniel Brewster
I dunno if solving one problem with another problem is the answer. I learned to drink in the military and became a professional at it. It followed me for thirty years and every single poor decision I made in my life started with alcohol. Alcoholic? Absolutely. I'm not blaming the military (there's that *I* part), yet those troops that have a problem with excess when it comes to alcohol will likely have the same problem with dope. Fwiw.
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It will hurt readiness and morale, and will also result in a whole slew of new GMT requirements and stand downs. Also consider the cannabis deglamorization program. It will, however, boost Cheetos consumption by the troops, hence saving the commissary and exchange. I guess that will put more folks in the "Chub Club."
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SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury
PO1 Rick Duff - I felt like rhyming when I wrote that...lol. CPT Quentin von Éfáns-Taráfdar - they will most definitely get their cut and I'm sure they will make lots of money...
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I think it will hurt the military and the public. I had to use it medically for awhile. I was given the merinol pills from the military and Va to make me have and appetite again. I didn't like it because I was to high and didn't feelin control. Plus it trick the brain into thinking I was hungry so I would eat allot and end up over eating and getting sick. Plus I just wanted to lay down and sleep after that. I know most people get the munchies and then sleep for a few hours after smoking marijuana, plus they get lazy and don't want to do anything. I would not trust a person next to me who has been smoking. You know they can't drive being on it and I wouldn't let them have a weapon. I studied Vietnam allot and drugs played a very bad part with soldiers during that war. I have nothing but respect for our Vietnam era war vets and I have heard that some of them got back they were a few of them who were strung out on different types of drugs. People always say marijuana doesn't hurt you might be right but I feel when smoking it you don't have your best judgement.
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I can see medical marijuana being prescribed to veterans who have seen Combat and can't live a restful life without it. For Marijuana to be legal for all troops, the rules would have to be more stringent than for alcohol, a drug we have already accepted.
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