The U.S. Army has updated its drug policies to crack down on the use of delta-8 THC, a synthetic form of THC made from hemp-derived CBD. The new policies aim to reduce the misuse of substances, including delta-8 THC, which the Army previously described as “increasingly problematic” due to its role in causing failed drug tests among soldiers.
The Army said it moved to ban the substance due to its wide accessibility and the confusion it has caused among soldiers, stemming in part from the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and CBD but left intoxicating substances derived from hemp unaddressed.
The Army & CBD
This is not the first time the Army has taken a strict stance on cannabis derivatives. Since 2021, the Army has banned the use of all hemp products, including CBD and even edible hemp seeds. The ban on CBD mirrors the broader Department of Defense’s prohibition for all service members, despite CBD products being legal – but unregulated – at the federal level.
Army officials cite the risk of soldiers unknowingly consuming products containing THC or other banned substances as part of their rationale. The Army emphasizes that no CBD product is safe for soldiers to consume, as unregulated labeling can lead to ingestion of trace amounts of THC, which is enough to fail a drug test.
Expanded training
In addition to the crackdown on delta-8 THC, the Army’s updated regulations include several new measures to enhance substance abuse prevention. Commanders are now instructed to “deglamorize” illegal drug use, prescription drug misuse, and irresponsible alcohol consumption. Training programs for soldiers have also been updated to reflect these priorities.
Leadership is required to maintain a “continuous command presence” in soldiers’ living, working, and recreational spaces to ensure compliance. These measures build on previous substance abuse guidelines but put more focus on direct oversight of soldiers’ behavior, though the Army has not clarified exactly how this will be implemented.
Other misuse policy
The updated policies also address prescription drug misuse, with new rules regarding the proper use of prescribed medications. Soldiers must renew prescriptions every six months, and any positive drug tests for prescriptions filled more than 12 months prior could be treated as illegitimate.
To further discourage substance abuse, soldiers are advised to avoid food products containing poppy seeds, which could lead to elevated levels of codeine in their system and trigger false positives in drug tests.
Underage drinking remains a concern, and the Army’s new policies direct soldiers under 21 caught drinking to attend Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Training (ADAPT). However, exceptions to underage drinking laws remain possible if senior commanders approve it under “special circumstances” like unit morale-building activities.
With these updates, the Army said it continues to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to drug and alcohol misuse, reinforcing its commitment to a disciplined and substance-free force.
Cannabis & the military
Here are key points summarizing the broader policies regarding marijuana and hemp in the U.S. armed forces:
- Zero-tolerance for marijuana: All branches of the U.S. military strictly prohibit the use of marijuana, regardless of state laws allowing recreational or medical use. Service members are subject to disciplinary action, including discharge, if they test positive for THC or are found using marijuana in any form.
- Ban on hemp and CBD products: Despite the federal legalization of hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill, the U.S. armed forces prohibit the use of hemp-derived products, including CBD. This includes foods, oils, and topical applications, due to concerns about trace amounts of THC causing positive drug tests.
- Prohibition extends to all hemp derivatives: The ban covers all hemp-derived products, including hemp seeds, protein, oil, and textiles. This comprehensive ban is in place to avoid any confusion or risk related to THC contamination.
- Risk of unintended exposure: Military policy emphasizes that even products marketed as THC-free or legal CBD may still contain enough THC to trigger a positive drug test, which is one reason for the blanket ban on hemp products.
- Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Service members who use marijuana or hemp products, even in states where they are legal, are subject to punishment under the UCMJ, reinforcing the military’s strict stance on controlled substances.