Published Jun 24, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT
A Republican congressman told Military.com he wants services to follow the lead of other services, providing DOD guidance on waivers.
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Published Jun 24, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT
A conservative congressman has included a provision in the U.S. House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that calls on all services to expand waivers for military enlistees who test positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component found in cannabis. An amendment included in the House's NDAA draft proposed by Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to submit a report outlining a plan to establish and disseminate a clear definition of the reenlistment waiver process. The report calls for a clarification of existing enlistment standards that allow waivers for individuals seeking to reenlist after a positive THC toxicology test, assessing the feasibility of contacting those previously denied for legal cannabis use. Joyce told Military.com that he proposed the amendment due to positive THC toxicology tests being "one of the most common reasons otherwise qualified applicants are disqualified from military enlistment today." "As states across the country continue to move to legalize cannabis use, a growing number of otherwise qualified applicants are being disqualified following a positive THC toxicology test—often for conduct that was legal under state law at the time," Joyce told Military.com. "We cannot afford to lose qualified, motivated individuals in an already challenging recruiting environment."
