Despite opposition from the White House, the full US House of Representatives has passed a federal defense bill that includes a provision to end marijuana testing for military recruits and prospective officers.
By a vote of 217 to 199 the House voted today to pass the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a massive defense bill necessary for funding national defense and military operations. Included in the NDAA is a provision that prohibits marijuana testing of military recruits and potential officers. The provision was passed by the House just days after the White House announced its opposition to the move.
Section 531 titled “PROHIBITION ON CANNABIS TESTING FOR ENLISTMENT OR COMMISSION IN CERTAIN ARMED FORCES” states:
Subject to subsection (a) of section 504 of chapter 31 of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of the military department concerned may not require an individual to submit to a test for cannabis as a condition of enlistment of such individual as a member, or the commission of such individual as an officer, of an Armed Force.”
The provision seeks to mitigate the decline in military recruitment. According to a Gallup poll from last month, 12% of Americans aged 18-29, a key demographic for military enlistment, stated they use marijuana regularly (defined as at least 10 days per month).
The NDAA will now be sent to the Senate, and if passed, to President Biden.
