House Armed Services Committee Approves NDAA with Provision on Cannabis Testing for Military Recruits

LOS ANGELES- The House Armed Services Committee has approved the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a comprehensive defense bill crucial for funding national defense and military operations. A significant provision within the bill prohibits the testing of cannabis for military recruits and potential officers.

Section 531, titled “Prohibition on Cannabis Testing for Enlistment or Commission in Certain Armed Forces,” specifies that the Secretary of the concerned military department cannot require an individual to undergo a cannabis test as a condition for enlistment or commission as an officer, as outlined in subsection (a) of section 504 of chapter 31 of title 10, United States Code.

This provision aligns with the federal government’s initiative to reschedule cannabis and reflects the growing number of states legalizing cannabis for recreational and medical use. Currently, 24 states have legalized recreational cannabis, and 38 states permit its medical use.

The measure aims to address declining military recruitment numbers. A recent Gallup poll indicated that 12% of Americans aged 18-29, a key demographic for military recruitment, use cannabis regularly.

The inclusion of this provision follows recent initiatives by military branches to mitigate the impact of past cannabis use among recruits. The Air Force has introduced a pilot program allowing recruits who test positive for cannabis to retest. The Navy and Army have also expanded their waiver programs for recruits who test positive.

This year’s NDAA provision is similar to an amendment proposed by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) for the previous year’s defense bill, which did not receive a committee vote.