Do you think legalizing marijuana will benefit or hurt the military?

where are the studies done with volunteers in the military of alcohol vs cannabis AND THC vs CBD???

If marijuana is legalized at a national level - across all 50 states, then it should be dealt with according to the same guidelines as alcohol - that is the logical, rational approach. When I first joined the service in 1976, illegal drugs, primarily marijuana, but also others was a serious problem - alcohol was also a serious problem (if not more so than 'drugs') but less recognized and even tolerated -'the gunny is hung over bad! don't bother him"

So, if legalized to the extend alcohol is, then it needs to handled the same way

Even if it becomes legal, I don't think the military will allow it.

Might help troops with issues. Just regulate it in the military like booze.

Nope! Not for our military. At the age of 62 now and undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer I have a prescription for medical marijuana to treat severe nausea. 24/7 IV chemotherapy for 6 months was tough. The last month was really bad. The marijuana helps the nausea but I can't concentrate like normal. I can only imagine the negative impact on military readiness and I do not see MJ use ever decriminalized for the armed forces. And you need to consider that the tar level in a joint is like 10x or more of that of a cigarette. OK, imagine the impact on performance of ground forces OR Fighter Pilots. No possible positive outcome. PT test results? Not good. The UCMJ should be tough on those who use. If you must use, then wait until you get out. Think too about the impact on the rest of your life of a "Less than Honorable Discharge". If you don't want to serve at the peak of your abilities just request a blood test or CBC panel. You'll be working at McDonald's before you know it.....

Hurt. Everyone will be jealous they can't smoke dope when all their civilian friends are. Probably a lot more hot tests with contact high defenses.

So long as it remains illegal in Federal jurisdictions, which the military falls under, it will continue to be an issue. It will become a problem when you have bases in states that have legalized marijuana from the standpoint that you will find people getting busted for getting a contact high. Proving specific use could become a problem. I do not see the military legalizing use especially in HRP positions such as LCO in missile silos or anyone with direct association to airframes of any kind...maintenance, aircrew, life support, etc.

I think it would hurt the military, BUT if it becomes legal, then treat it like alcohol. Don't get high and drive, 12 hours joint to throttle, and smoke or eat it when off duty. High tech jobs might need to go from 12 hrs to 36 hrs since THC lags in the body longer if used on a daily basis. Booze is 1 oz per hour liver burn off, so who knows what a high THC joint would last in the body. I feel it is coming around the corner within the next 5 - 10 yrs for the whole USA to be legal. Get enough voters....it will happen.

It is interesting to read the responses to this question - folks on both sides of the fence. I have not seen anyone on the 'no' side present a reasoned, rational argument as to why permitting off-duty use of marijuana should be any different then the use of alcohol.

Remember folks, while I personally don't like or use any mind altering substance (drugs or alcohol), as a society we have made certain substances legal.

The military can control the time and place, even quantity - 'bottle to throttle rule', or even a 'no smoking' (be pretty hard to light up on ship). However if marijuana is made legal in all 50 states, it would be then be an almost untenable position to enforce a ban. Alcohol is legal and not banned, it is regulated and controlled - and arguments can be made that alcohol is as destructive as marijuana, if not more so.

Regulate and control - and let's remember that old leadership adage 'never give an order you know won't be obeyed, or you can't enforce'

So if you have reasons why you think it should not be allowed, state them. Remember 'I feel' and 'because' are not rational arguments, while 'tradition' can be a reason - remember traditions change and evolve. So ...anyone?

While I don't find it the demon it's made out to be I can't see how anyone could say it wouldn't be a detriment to the military. It slows down response time, a lack of awareness and seems to leave people little interest in accomplishment. Even if it is legalized I can't see allowing it in the military.