I have a General (under honorable conditions) discharge for smoking cannabis can I upgrade it? Is it worth it?

CPL Paul Marino — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 13:56:22 -0500

Response by CPL Paul Marino made Feb 8 at 2023 1:56 PM

CPL Paul Marino — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 13:56:59 -0500

This was back in 2001

Response by COL Randall C. made Feb 8 at 2023 2:13 PM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:13:09 -0500

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.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2023 2:35 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:35:18 -0500

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2023 5:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:03:33 -0500

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.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2023 8:49 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 20:49:27 -0500

You're not going to upgrade it unless you can prove it was erroneous.

Response by CPL Paul Marino made Feb 9 at 2023 7:36 AM

CPL Paul Marino — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 07:36:37 -0500

I appreciate all of your responses and I agree with all of you.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 9 at 2023 9:54 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 09:54:00 -0500

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

Biden's Marijuana Pardons Don't Apply to Service Members

A marijuana possession charge carries a potential penalty of dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay and a two-year maximum punishment.

Response by Jillia Norr made Apr 18 at 2024 7:07 AM

Jillia Norr — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:07:24 -0400

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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