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You might have noticed that hemp-derived products, including CBD, are becoming widespread across the US. Today, you can find hemp products in coffee additives, candies, creams, vaping liquids, etc. It could be complicated to enter the store and don’t find a CBD product. You can even order it online from your home. Many companies state that CBD relieves pain and improves the quality of sleep. In addition, it can treat various ailments like depression, stress, and anxiety. However, it isn’t the full list of how to use hemp to help people overcome their problems. Check our CBD section to know more about it https://askgrowers.com/cbd
If you are a military person, you might want to know about the regulations of CBD in the armed forces. If you want a quick answer, US troops can be punished for using CBD products, according to a Department of Defense memo. Nowadays, all military service has a regulation prohibiting CBD product use.
Legalization of CBD
Hemp is no longer on the federal government’s list of controlled substances in 2018. Hemp is legal if the THC(the psychoactive component in marijuana) is less than 0.3%.
Hemp is used by industrial companies as well. However, the companies selling CBD oil should be careful not to allow THC values to increase over 0.3%. Such a low level of THC makes CBD oil fully legal.
However, marijuana remains illegal under federal law and isn’t allowed in the armed forces. CBD products are now fully legal for civilians and can be used in many areas and industries.
Main facts you should know about THC and CBD
CBD is one of 113 cannabinoid compounds that can be found in cannabis. It is the product of the marijuana family and hemp. However, CBD doesn’t mean weed. Cannabis is the name of the plant family. CBD doesn’t contain any THC (cannabinoid component that makes you high) components. It has to contain less than 0.3% of THC to be marked as hemp or CBD oil.
If we are talking about THC, it is a drug that makes you high (it has a psychoactive effect). THC is illegal within the federal government but is legal in some states.
CBD has become very popular all across the country, throughout the media and science. The reason is that CBD has a lot of significant benefits without illegal substances. CBD can help cancer patients to relieve their pain, and it can treat some psychological problems. It has anti-inflammatory benefits as well. Medical marijuana usage is widespread nowadays because of the obvious benefits patients receive.
Here are some facts about CBD and THC:
- If the amount of THC is less than 0.3%, you won’t probably fail a drug test using CBD. However, if the amount of THC, you are at risk for 48 hours in case you have to do a Saliva test.
- CBD oil comes from a non-psychoactive plant. It is 100% legal.
- Marijuana contains more than 0.3% of THC, which can make you high, but hemp doesn’t.
Why is CBD prohibited in the military?
After the legalization of hemp, the market has grown into a $1 billion industry in the US. Although the CBD market is legal, it is still unregulated and untested. Militaries can receive a positive test after consuming a legal CBD product if the THC content is more than 0.3%. That’s why DoD can’t create a list of permitted CBD products.
In February 2020, a memo was released. It states that the use of hemp in all the branches of the armed forces is prohibited. This memo became public in July 2020. These orders make the use of CBD prohibited across military services, including the Navy and Marine Corps. As it was said, the main goal was to protect the drug testing program and to prevent situations when service members received positive marijuana tests after using CBD products.
Do the armed forces test for CBD?
The militaries don’t test for CBD specifically, but hemp and marijuana are almost the same plants with different cannabinoid makeup. That’s why there are still some THC amounts in hemp products. There is a THC test, which is why service members should avoid CBD.
Punishments in the military services for CBD use
If you are a service member and you are found to have used a CBD product, your commander has to start the administrative separation process. Even if the THC concentration was ok, and the product was bought and used legally, you will face unpleasant consequences. CBD use is punishable in the military. However, there could be some exceptions like:
- Accidental ingestion of hemp
- CBD use while performing medical duties
- Cannabis medications are used with a doctor’s prescription.
So service members are prohibited from using any CBD products because it might lead to administrative or disciplinary action. Despite CBD being fully legal for civilians, militaries shouldn’t use it to avoid unpleasant consequences.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
