WASHINGTON — In a notable development, the House’s latest version of the annual essential defense policy bill proposes that new military recruits and officers would not need to undergo mandatory testing for marijuana as part of their enlistment or commissioning process.
The proposed 2025 National Defense Authorization Act specifically prohibits the military from mandating marijuana testing as a prerequisite for joining the forces.
Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, introduced this amendment initially in last year’s defense bill, aimed at defining the Pentagon’s operational guidelines. Though it did not pass then, its inclusion in this year’s draft was a result of collective efforts, he remarked on Friday.
Proponents of this policy argue that it is crucial for boosting military enlistment rates, especially at a time when the armed forces are struggling to find eligible and willing young individuals to join.
“Americans who have used cannabis in the past should not be barred from military service,” Gaetz asserted last year. “Welcoming such individuals who wish to serve our nation is the right step forward.”
The military has been reevaluating its strict anti-marijuana regulations amid broader national legalization trends. The Air Force and Space Force, for instance, initiated a pilot project in 2022 allowing some candidates who fail initial THC screenings to retest after a three-month period.
The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps have similarly adjusted their policies to offer second testing opportunities for cannabis. In a recent update, the Navy decided it will cease discharging recruits who test positive for marijuana at the start of their boot camp training.
“We are committed to correcting the misguided policies regarding marijuana that have adversely affected countless lives,” President Biden stated.
The House Armed Services Committee is scheduled to convene next week to deliberate on this legislative proposal, while the Senate Armed Services Committee is yet to publish its draft of the bill.
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