As the path to legalization slowly moves forward, a common worry is how past cannabis users will perform in different areas. Specifically, some might worry about their performance in the military. Sure, there have been rules implemented that limit military personnel’s access to cannabis with it typically only being allowed with former military personnel. In fact, there is a zero-tolerance policy for current military members using cannabis. However, those past marijuana-using army recruits have ways of still being qualified to serve their country. A concern regarding this is that these past users will prove to be weak links in the military chain.

Analysis

Recently, a new government-funded analysis of US Army recruits looked into how cannabis use affected the overall performance. According to this study, marijuana-using army recruits had relatively little impact on their overall performance. Additionally, they were just as likely to make the rank of sergeant as their peers. On top of that, these recruits were more likely to leave the Army over the zero tolerance drug use policy. However, they were also less likely to separate as the result of health or performance concerns. Finally, the analysis showed that there wasn’t any evidence that connected legalization with recruit outcomes.

Reasons

The reason that the RAND Corporation performed this analysis was due to the waivers past cannabis users have to sign. These waivers need to be filled out in order for the Army to reconsider applicants. These applicants are those who were initially disqualified for a number of reasons. One of these reasons is either past or present cannabis use on the part of the applicants.

Without these waivers, a failed cannabis drug test would “block the one-third of American 18-year-olds who say they have used marijuana at least once in the past year,” a RAND official stated.

Results

The report surrounding the analysis stated the “legalization of marijuana has not resulted in worse recruit outcomes” when describing the overall subject. As such, even if they continued with the waiver system, the quality and quantity of army recruits would likely not change much if at all. However, with the Biden administration making things difficult for veterans to gain access to the information, it is possible that these past cannabis users could have difficulties in the future.

It is activists’ hope that as cannabis becomes more acceptable that changes will come to more areas of the country.

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