Posted on Feb 8, 2023
CPL Paul Marino
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Posted in these groups: Military men Discharge
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COL Randall C.
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The "Is it worth it" depends on you. From the point of view of impact of VA services, Veterans who receive general discharges under honorable conditions are entitled to all VA benefits, with the exception of GI Bill education benefits.

You said that you were discharged back in 2001, so you wouldn't be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. However, if you had paid into the Montgomery GI Bill while on active duty (that $100 a month thing) and didn't use it up, then that would be something you would get back if your discharge was upgraded.

However, if you aren't eligible for the GI Bill, then frankly I can't think of any impact to you other than having a DD215 saying it was upgraded. You were still discharged under Honorable conditions but had a blemish or two on the discharge. That's it. If the blemishes bother you, you can go through the route of getting it upgraded.

Frankly, you'll have an uphill battle, UNLESS can show that you had a single isolated incident or that you were suffering from PTSD (there are a lot of exceptions that could apply if that was the case). If either of these apply, then contact a VSO and get their assistance in filing for an upgrade.
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SGM G3 Sergeant Major
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You're not going to upgrade it unless you can prove it was erroneous.
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
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You can try but I don't know if it will pan out. Cannabis is still a schedule 1 drug and is still illegal federally.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/10/07/bidens-marijuana-pardons-dont-apply-service-members.html
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I have a General (under honorable conditions) discharge for smoking cannabis can I upgrade it? Is it worth it?
CPL Paul Marino
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I appreciate all of your responses and I agree with all of you.
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SSG 12 B Instructor
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Worth it? Not really, in my opinion and here is why. You can request an upgrade, but if it was not an error, you will not get the upgrade. If you in fact popped hot for weed and where processed out, you are not getting an upgrade. Honestly, the General (UHC) is a pretty great gift considering. Now, if there was mistakes made in the process or you did not actually popped hot, you can try.
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CPT Staff Officer
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yea, at the end of the day............... the Army didn't torpedo is ability to go forward in life. He can vote, he can own guns (I presume), he can get most VA benefits, civilians who employ just regular jobs that don't review DD214's all the time will probably not be the wiser. The word "honorable" is in there.
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MAJ Intell Officer
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Edited >1 y ago
A General Discharge is only 1 step below honorable. You didn't serve honorably if you violated regulations/policies. As COL Cudworth mentioned, you still have verteran entitlements. You've waited 20 years to say something... it doesn't sound like it's an issue. In my opinion, I would just let it be.
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Jillia Norr
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Yes, you can potentially upgrade your General (under honorable conditions) discharge for cannabis use, but it largely depends on various factors such as the policies of the branch you served in and your individual circumstances. While upgrading your discharge may offer benefits like expanded job opportunities and access to certain veterans' benefits, it's crucial to weigh the potential outcomes against the effort and resources required for the upgrade process. Additionally, seeking legal counsel or assistance from veteran support organizations can provide guidance tailored to your situation. As for cannabis use, it's worth considering alternative options like CBD products, which are legal and offer potential therapeutic benefits without the associated risks. If you're interested, you can explore reputable sources like https://dankbros.net/product/habibi-hash/ for organic CBD options.
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CPL Paul Marino
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This was back in 2001
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