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Amid the growing number of states legalizing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and their related products, military members still face scrutiny in the Drug Demand Reduction program (DDR).
The military has been testing its members since 1970. Starting in 1980 statistics have been collected showing approximately 23% of military members had used drugs in the last year. In 1981 marijuana use was responsible for $150M, 14 killed, and injuries which prompted authorization to take punitive action against members who came up positive. Since that time all military and civilian members working for the Department of Defense (DoD) are randomly drug tested via urine tests, and all are familiar with the mandatory reporting procedures for testing. New recruits are also routinely educated by their recruiters on the policy. However, by 2022, 78.7% of Air Force positive drug screens were still for THC, the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. In 2023, 92 Airmen from the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) were discharged for positive drug tests. Between 2023 and 2024 alone there were 14 discharges from the 349th Air Mobility Wing (AMW) with an additional 7 discharges currently under investigation.
The need to enforce military readiness has always been a primary rational for the DDR program, however, as more states begin to legalize medical marijuana and reports of hemp health benefits have increased, the military is doubling down on its no tolerance policy.
The first type of marijuana, hashish or cannabis tincture and contains Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in concentrations between 1-20%, high enough to exhibit psychoactivity. The second type, Cannabis Sativa L., is industrial hemp with THC concentrations < 0.3%. THC in concentrations this low have been shown to have no psychoactive properties.
The 2018 Farm Bill removed dry hemp, or fiber-type Hemp, from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC, however, still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but also legal under some state laws. This new legal threshold is not commonly understood by military members. Additionally, the growth of the presence of CBD hidden within the food industry has created both confusion and surprise for members when making consumer decisions or when finding themselves in front of a review board. AFI 90-507 historically prohibits the use of THC in all military members and is punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and therefore Hemp seed and hemp containing products are still discouraged.
Why Not Make CBD Federally Legal too?
Despite new state legalizations and the plethora of observational and clinical research supporting CBD in medicine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one CBD related prescription drug product to be used in treating Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. This may be because observational research tends to range from weak to anecdotal and may not be accurate for a wide number of people. Additionally, there are different types of CBD. Full Spectrum CBD vs CBD isolates. CBD isolate is the pure form and in theory would contain less than the <.3% of THC. Full Spectrum CBD contains multiple cannabis plant extracts, including essential oils, terpenes, and other cannabinoids, such as cannabinol. While Full Spectrum CBD is also theoretically < .3% THC and within the legal limit for public consumption under the Farm Bill, there may be increased bioavailability of this THC due to the inclusion of natural terpenes. Terpenes are herbal components found in many plants and are responsible for their aroma but also act in the body as helpers in metabolizing and absorption of certain compounds and may change the effects of CBD in an individual’s body. Some clinical evidence supports this enhanced effect. A study in Frontier Neurology suggests that the synergistic effects of CBD with other phytocompounds such as terpenoids/terpenes enhanced CBD effects as compared to purified CBD. There is limited research supporting this data however and more research is needed to confirm this. There is also no research evaluating the cumulative effect CBD use over time, and incidents of positive toxicology screens in military members has resulted from various formulations of both CBD and hemp types.
Safety First
CBD can impact the effectiveness of other medications. When taken with alcohol or other medications, liver injury can occur unless under medical supervision. There is limited research on the interactions between CBD products and herbs or other plant-based products in dietary supplements. Consumers should discuss with a physician any possible drug/medication interaction that may occur as the effects may be different between individuals.
It is not easy to identify products enhanced with CBD and users should be aware of product labels of any processed product before assuming it is safe. Hemp labeling requirements are not yet an enforced policy the same way other ingredients or macronutrients are on the Nutrition Facts Panel. Many products will not contain adequate or even accurate information for consumers to make the best decisions. The FDA recommends reading product packaging for the inclusion or exclusion of labeling indicating there may be THC or CBD related ingredients.
What to Look For
Military members should read all parts of the label for “CBD”, “Hemp” and “THC”. Labels citing “not psychoactive” or “Does not Contain THC” can be misleading.
Look for:
• Brand name and logo.
• Identify the product in clear terms and state its intended use.
• List all the ingredients in order of concentration, highest first.
• Tell how the CBD or hemp was extracted and indicate the THC dosage, even if it is zero.
• List warnings and disclaimers for topical vs. internal use.
• Include the net weight without the packaging on the front of the label and outer package.
CBD from Hemp can be found in pills, gummies, topical oils and creams, makeup, and bath bombs.
Hemp products or hidden hemp sources:
o Hemp milk and coffee
o Granola and energy bars
o Chips and crackers
o Protein powder and yogurt
o Shampoos and conditioners
o Lotion, soap and hand sanitizer
o Energy drinks
o Beers
o Cereals
DoD Testing
The DoD tests both military and civilian members the same way. Samples are sent to Lackland, Air Force Base, Texas for military and Fort Mead, Maryland for civilians. Both use urine sampling and the same equipment and tests for both THC-8 and THC-9. THC-9 is the type of found in marijuana. This is a banned narcotic, and punishment may be as high as an article 112a. THC-8 will pop up for Hemp and CBD and may warrant an article 92 depending on the concentration found in the sample and also how the specific product was formulated. According to Mr. Jimmy Cirillo at DDR-HQ, a threshold level of <.3 % may trigger a positive screen on the first test, triggering a second test to identify the actual substance. According to the FDA, products marketed as supplements or non-food items are not regulated by the FDA and concentrations of THC-8 are often not verified and may result in adverse reactions. In 2021 the National Poison Control received 661 exposure cases of THC-8 and 41% of these were unintentional. Testers should not try to fool the test by overhydrating as this would show a high pH and trigger an additional test. As more CBD products become readily available on GNC stores shelves, spas and microbreweries, users have less deniability to a positive drug test if they unknowingly consume hidden THC. Manufactures are required by law to report their contents, especially those labeled as foods. Much information is publicly available and easy to obtain. Military members can protect themselves by understanding the products they consume.
Which States Have More Weed?
Airmen should also be conscious of local state laws regarding availability of medical and recreational CBD. State laws will determine which products are more likely to be easily accessible. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) only three states (Idaho, Kansas ,Nebraska) and one territory (American Samoa) do not have legalized cannabis in any form, leaving 47 states where there may be enough variation in policy to confuse the unsuspecting airman on temporary duty (TDY) or deployment.
In conclusion, CBD/THC ingredients are likely to be lurking in everyday items, but military members can protect themselves by understanding product labeling practices and policies. Military members must take responsibility for understanding the laws of their states as well as practice increased vigilance whether on vacation or TDY. These savvy consumer skills can ensure members stay safe and healthy while maintaining war fighting capabilities, military readiness and physical and mental resiliency.
For more consumer related information on THC/CBC:
National Poison Control
Food and Drug Administration
Air Force Directive: Military Demand Reduction Program
Operation Supplement Safety
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2025 14:10 |
| Story ID: | 496964 |
| Location: | TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 25 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Military Members and THC: A Legal Gray Zone Under DDR, by TSgt Wendy Hermes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
