CBD for Veterans & Active Duty
Overview
CBD for veterans and active duty personnel can be beneficial for many health issues ranging including PTSD, pain, anxiety, and insomnia. This article explores the possible health benefits of CBD and the legal status of using CBD for veterans and servicemembers on active duty.
Wellness Garden Medicinals is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural chemical found in the cannabis plant that interacts with body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Unlike its cousin THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not product the “high” associated with marijuana use.
Numerous medical studies support the claim that CBD may be an effective treatment for a multitude of medical conditions due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects. Since CBD is a naturally occurring substance that has little to no negative side effects, it has become a popular alternative treatment for many veterans and active duty personnel suffering from the following conditions:
There are many other possible uses for CBD, including alleviating cancer-related symptoms, reducing acne, providing neuroprotective properties, benefiting heart health, preventing diabetes, providing antipsychotic properties, and helping with substance abuse management.
CBD may be an excellent choice for veterans suffering from a wide array of conditions. Unfortunately, fear of legal issues or failed drug tests prevent many individuals from benefiting from this amazing natural product.
CBD Legality
Federal
Confusion surrounding the legality of CBD in the United States has prevented many of our veterans and active duty personnel from using CBD to manage their health issues.
The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, better known as the 2018 Farm Bill, removed federal legal restrictions on the manufacturing, sale, and possession of CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC as long as the CBD was derived from hemp and not marijuana.
This means that CBD products are federally legal in the United States as long the CBD was sourced from a hemp plant and was tested to contain less than 0.3% THC. If you are concerned about the legality of your CBD products, it is important to verify that information with the manufacturer.
State
Although the 2018 Farm Bill federally decriminalized most CBD products, states can pass individual laws banning the use or sale of hemp and CBD. As of January 2020, hemp-sourced CBD is legal in all states except Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
It is important to check your state and local laws and regulations to stay updated on the legality of CBD products in your area before making a purchase.
UCMJ
A memo dated February 26, 2020 from Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Matthew Donovan stated that in order to remove ambiguity in the drug testing program, all CBD and hemp products are banned across all services for active duty and reserve personnel.
Although CBD products from hemp containing less than 0.3% THC are federally legal, these products can cause an accumulation of THC in the body that can cause a failed drug test. For this reason, even CBD products containing 0% THC are banned in the armed forces.
In light of the Under Secretary’s memo, it is not recommended that active duty and reserve personnel use any form of CBD or hemp products.
Veteran and Active Duty CBD Discounts
Many companies offer discounts to veterans and active duty personnel on CBD products. At Wellness Garden Medicinals, we are a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and provide lifetime discounts of 25%-50% to both veterans and active duty on all our products.
Although we do not recommend active duty or reserve personnel purchase our products for personal use due to the prohibition on all CBD and hemp products across all service branches, we still provide discounts for purchases made for friends and family.
For more information on how to apply for a discount, please visit our webpage.
Conclusion
CBD has many possible benefits for a wide range of medical conditions. Before trying CBD, speak to your doctor first. Although CBD is federally legal in most cases, check your state and local laws to make sure it is permitted to use in your location. If you are on active duty, it is not recommended to use CBD due to the service-wide prohibition on all CBD and hemp products.
