In early October, the Army made changes to its substance abuse policies as part of an effort to reduce drug and alcohol misuse among its ranks. The updated policy now includes a list of prohibited substances and also outlines new training and reporting requirements for leadership. Task & Purpose was the first to report that the Army’s updated drug policy now specifically targets delta-8 THC, a hemp-derived cannabinoid that is similar to the more famous 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,” reads the Army’s updated policy. So, while delta-8 may seem like the tamer cousin of delta-9, the Army clearly isn’t taking any chances with its psychoactive family tree.
The new regulation also includes a peculiar culinary warning: soldiers should avoid foods containing poppy seeds. Yes, your favourite poppy-seed muffin could be a career risk! Since poppy seeds can contain trace amounts of morphine and codeine, two Schedule II drugs banned for military personnel, indulging in a poppy seed bagel could end up leading to a failed drug test.
The Army’s crackdown on delta-8 THC follows concerns that its use was becoming a problem among soldiers, so the explicit ban didn’t come as a surprise. Despite the popularity of delta-8 products since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, the Army’s policy has banned all forms of hemp products, including non-intoxicating CBD and hemp seeds, since 2021. This aligns with the Department of Defense’s strict prohibition on all cannabis derivatives, even if they’re technically legal.
While other military branches like the Navy and Air Force have loosened up a bit, allowing recruits who test positive for marijuana at boot camp to apply for waivers, all branches still maintain bans on hemp products.
