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The U.S. Army has updated its drug policy to explicitly ban the use of delta-8 THC hemp products, clarifying that soldiers are prohibited from using them.
It is also warning servicemembers to avoid foods with poppy seeds, as they can cause false positives in opioid tests.
The Army updated its substance abuse policies in early October to reduce drug and alcohol abuse among service members. The new policy has a “prohibited substances” list, as well as updated requirements for training and reporting by leadership.
Task & Purpose first reported that the U.S. Army’s updated drug policy now prohibits delta-8 THC products, which are hemp-derived and contain delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabinoid similar to the more popular delta-9 THC but with milder psychoactive effects.
“Numerous synthetic THC substitutes are now available on the open market in many States. Synthetic cannabis such as Delta-8–THC and other THC substitutes are used in drugs such as ‘spice,’ which are so closely related in action to THC as to make it obvious that synthetic cannabis and THC substitutes will have the same potential for abuse as THC”, the updated policy reads.
The new Army regulation also advises soldiers to steer clear of foods containing poppy seeds due to the risk of failing drug screenings. Poppy seeds, commonly found in baked goods and pastries, can contain opium alkaloids like morphine and codeine, which are Schedule II drugs banned for military personnel under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The U.S. Army had earlier indicated that the consumption of delta-8 THC was increasingly a problem within its ranks, so the explicit ban was expected.
With these updates, the Army makes clear its continued zero-tolerance policy toward drug and alcohol abuse in an effort to maintain a disciplined and substance-free force.
The popularity of delta-8 THC products surged after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and CBD, leaving intoxicating hemp-derived substances largely unregulated.
The Army’s policy on cannabis derivatives has, since 2021, strictly forbidden all types of hemp products, including CBD, which is non-intoxicating, and edible hemp seeds.
This ban aligns with the broader Department of Defense prohibition despite CBD being legal yet unregulated federally.
All branches of the U.S. military have prohibited marijuana use – regardless of state statutes that allow either recreational or medical use.
Military personnel are subject to discipline, including discharge upon testing positive for THC or using marijuana in some other ways.
Because of the chance traces of THC might exist, the Army bans all products made of hemp foods, oils, and topical applications despite the 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp.
The all-inclusive ban serves to avoid confusion over what levels of THC can still show positive on a drug test, even with products labeled as THC-free or legal CBD.
Even the use of marijuana or hemp products in states where it may be legally permitted can make service members liable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and that has been a strict principle that the military has kept concerning controlled substances.
Overall, the Army still maintains its zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol misuse.
However, some military branches updated their policy on drugs due to the change in marijuana regulations in recent years.
For instance, The Navy and Air Force have recently relaxed their policies to grant waivers to recruits who arrive at boot camp having tested positive for marijuana. However, both branches still ban all hemp-derived products –including CBD– and continue to warn service members against using any hemp products because of the positive drug test risk.
“}]] The U.S. Army has updated its drug policy to explicitly ban the use of delta-8 THC hemp products, clarifying that soldiers are prohibited from using them. Read More