At 12:01 a.m. Feb. 26, 2015 marijuana became legal in the District of Columbia. For adults 21 and older with the passing of Initiative 71 legalizing the possession of two ounces of marijuana, cultivation of up to six plants inside of their D.C. home, but for Sailors in the National Capital Region marijuana is still prohibited.
According to OPNAV 5350.4D marijuana is still an illicit drug.
“Sailors who don’t know the Navy instruction and think that since it is legalized in DC and live in the area, they think they are OK to smoke or use marijuana,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Assou Koutouati, Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s Command Assistant Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA). “But since they are in the Navy they are prohibited from smoking or using marijuana.”
The Navy’s policy on drug abuse is “zero tolerance.” Sailors that have been determined to be using, possessing, promoting, manufacturing or distributing drugs and or paraphernalia will be disciplined as appropriate and will be separated from the Navy as required.
“A Sailor was separated from the Navy because they tested positive on a urinalysis,” said Koutouati. “It is important for Sailors to know and understand what the rules are regarding drugs, especially marijuana now that states are starting to legalize it for recreational use for civilians.”
THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana, stays in a person’s system for a varied amount of time.
“Depending on the dosage, method of consumption and one’s metabolism, marijuana can stay in the system for up to 30 days,” said Koutouati. “However in some cases with chronic usage THC may take up to 60 days to get out of one’s system.”
Marijuana impairs a person’s judgment and their ability to do basic tasks.
“Marijuana significantly impairs judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time, and studies have found a direct relationship between blood THC concentration and impaired driving ability,” said Koutouati. “Studies have also suggested specific links between marijuana use and adverse consequences in the workplace, such as increased risk for injury or accidents.”
Marijuana can lead to accidents in the workplace.
“One study among postal workers found that employees who tested positive for marijuana on a pre-employment urine drug test had 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries, and 75 percent greater absenteeism compared with those who tested negative for marijuana use,” said Koutouati.
For more information about the misuse of controlled substances and its consequences, reference Milpersman 1910-146.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2016 08:22 |
| Story ID: | 210392 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 135 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, How Marijuana Legalization Impacts Capital Region Sailors, by PO1 William Phillips, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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