The Department of Defense recently banned all men and women in service from using any hemp-derived products, as CBD is becoming more mainstream and accessible throughout the world.
The Statement from Director of the Human Performance Laboratory
Patricia Deuster, the Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, said that “it’s completely forbidden for use by any service member in any of the services at this point in time.”
Deuster claims that there is no real indication on the quality of a CBD product since the United States does not officially regulate or test the hemp-derived creation.
CBD consumption among defense forces
As CBD becomes more available on shelves, the Department of Defense is not the only military organization concerned.
The Air Force, Coast Guard, and Department of the Navy issued several policies addressing the consumption of CBD among their service members.
The Farm Bill
Hemp and its derivatives, prominently CBD, became legal in December 2018 after President Donald Trump signed the Farm Bill.
The law fundamentally changed the definition of marijuana, allowing the distribution of CBD oil that contains 0.3% or less THC throughout the United States.
While the law pushed boundaries on the legalization of cannabis in America, the Farm Bill of 2018 did not legalize all CBD products.
Advantages of CBD oil
Multiple studies and research reports suggest that CBD oil is a great alternative form of treatment for chronic pain, epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and obesity.
According to CBD Kyro, about 62% of 2,409 cannabidiol users take CBD oil for a medical reason. With that in mind, the top three conditions were to alleviate pain, anxiety, and depression.
CBD products also are becoming the next step forward toward the cure of serious diagnosed illnesses, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Diseases
A 2014 study conducted at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro found that CBD has significant anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties, ultimately becoming great for people experiencing these conditions.
Members of the military service can suffer similar conditions, such as PTSD, and can benefit from the use of CBD.
Another common diagnosed illness CBD treats is epilepsy. The amount of studies that showcase a positive correlation between CBD and different forms of epilepsy is colossal.
In fact, the FDA recently approved Epidiolex, the only drug legal on a federal level that contains CBD. The drug is responsible for aiding pediatric epilepsy and seizures, as well as altering the TSA policy of bringing CBD on flights.
FDA-approved medications containing cannabis
Since Epidiolex is an FDA-approved medication, military organizations are still permitting those diagnosed with epilepsy or experience seizures to continue using it during service.
Other CBD products, on the other hand, are forbidden. Service members who test positive for THC, and who are not using Epidiolex and any other FDA-approved medications containing cannabis, can undergo consequences.
They would be subject to Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and can receive a dishonorable discharge that can potentially remove veteran benefits as well.
Does human body produce CBD?
CBD is not an addictive substance, as the human body has specific receptors in the endocannabinoid system that reacts with the CBD.
Moreover, various experts in the medical and science community claim that the human body naturally produces CBD in the endocannabinoid system to maintain balance during times of stress.
According to Healthcare Weekly, the alleviation of stress and anxiety is encouraged through the production of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone that also prevents insomnia and panic attacks.
Once the human body releases more serotonin due to the consumption of CBD, the mood gets better, stress is reduced, and overall pain is absolved.
CBD bans in the military
Even with the therapeutic and healthy properties of CBD, military organizations continue to pass strict bans on service members having any cannabis products.
Coast Guard Commander Adm. Karl Shultz announced the Coast Guard’s zero-tolerance policy on the use of marijuana.
In addition, the military organization banned Coast Guardsmen entering shops and mobile dispensaries, as well as using online stores or delivery services, that sell cannabis.
Matt Rooney, Chief of the Policy and Standards Division at Coast Guard Headquarters, advised members to be cautious regarding the purchase of CBD products.
“If they desire to use a product that may or may not fall into the definition of what’s prohibited, they should seek guidance or use caution,” Rooney said.
The Navy, on the other hand, allows certain CBD products for the marines to use, specifically shampoos, lotions, and other topical CBD products.
However, transdermal patches or any other form developed to provide CBD into the human system are prohibited in the Navy.
Even though multiple military organizations are initiating strict bans on CBD use, the market is expanding than ever before due to the recent American legalization.
CBD might become legal soon
With 33 states making marijuana legal for medical purposes, the wave of the movement is going to hit the CBD market, if it hasn’t already.
In 2018, the market size for CBD oil was approximated at $270 million. With the demand increasing, the market is expected to grow to $20 billion by 2024.
Although there are different predictions from a variety of establishments, all point the CBD market to positive and prosperous light.
As CBD is becoming more popular among the general public, not to mention more accessible on the shelves of various stores in the United States, the military organizations have decided to take precautions.
Lack of research
Due to the lack of research on the topic, CBD oil is still approached carefully despite the positive effects of the product upon the human body.
Only recently did the United States federal government announce a plan to spread awareness on hemp and its derivatives.
The government is funding more marijuana research for those scientists that wish to test and prove CBD’s capability to heal serious illnesses that traditional medicine cannot handle. The govt. is also creating new paths toward the discovery of treatments for supposedly incurable diseases.
With the newly introduced government-funded research and the growth in the market, CBD use is becoming more common in society.
Perhaps even the military organizations, including the Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force will uplift their bans on CBD use among their service members as they continue to acknowledge the product’s beneficial qualities.
Article Submitted By Community Writer