Against the backdrop of a “a recruitment and retainment crisis ” in the US military, Congressional lawmakers are suggesting that laws around cannabis testing upon military recruitment be relaxed.
With cannabis use legal in one form or another in a total of 61 states, more and more recruits are testing positive for cannabis use, adding to the country’s military recruitment problems.
An amendment has been proposed to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to scrap cannabis testing on enlistment to the military or when a military member is receiving commission as an officer.
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In a public statement, Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida, who proposed the amendment, commented: “Our military is facing a recruitment and retainment crisis unlike any other time in American history. I do not believe that prior use of cannabis should exclude Americans from enlisting in the armed forces.
“We should embrace them for stepping up to serve our country.”
The amendment proposal follows recent calls on the The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enable access to medical cannabis for veterans.
