Army Colonel Warns Weed Shops Not To Sell To Service Members Or Else
If you’ve served a tour in Afghanistan or Iraq, you’ve seen some shit. My roommate served in Afghanistan, and I’ve heard the stories. This is why I’m not opposed to those returning home finding certain ways to relax and relieve all the stress they built up while serving their country. Whether that be a 19-year-old ordering a drink at a bar or a soldier lighting up a joint, these men and women have earned that right.
With the rise in marijuana legalization across the nation, my roommate and I have always wondered how this would affect those serving in the military. Well, it seems that we have our answer. On Jan. 21, Colonel David Chase sent out a letter to several marijuana dispensaries to let the owners know that should they sell their products to the troops, they will face consequences.
This is a new one. Department of the Army is now issuing letters to my #marijuana clients telling them to not sell to the troops…OR ELSE.
— Hilary Bricken (@CannaBizLawyer) January 23, 2015
Army's (redacted) "Dear John" letter to one of my #i502 #marijuana retailers. Soldiers can't even enter the stores! pic.twitter.com/xFcLRUm3tj
— Hilary Bricken (@CannaBizLawyer) January 23, 2015
From what I was told by both Bluto and my roommate, this is pretty common for the Army to do. It’s within a commander’s power to designate any establishment off limits if he thinks the services it provides are detrimental to readiness and discipline. Rules are rules, but there should be an exception to this rule for those who are returning from duty, in my humble, civilian opinion..
[via WHAXY]
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So according to the letter, members of the Armed Forces are banned from entering dispensaries unless the dispensary can prove they aren’t going to sell to them? So they can look around but not buy? Also what the fuck are “substances similar to marijuana”? I respect the Colonel, but he seems to be off his rocker
11 years ago at 3:22 pmBath salts and synthetic marijuana used to be legal under the UCMJ because it was unknown and used to be a problem. That’s what it was referring to when he said substances similar to marijuana; any mind altering hallucinogen.
11 years ago at 3:35 pmOr else what? Nothing but respect for the military but they do not have any authority whatsoever over civilian businesses. They don’t take orders from you, Colonel. You can politely ASK them not to serve servicemen. You don’t “warn” them of anything.
11 years ago at 3:25 pmGuess I missed the “or else” in the article.
11 years ago at 3:33 pmJust to set the facts straight: No one in the military is allowed to buy or smoke weed, regardless of state laws. The UCMJ does not allow it, and this colonel didn’t create the policy. I would wholeheartedly support punishment of places that knowingly sell weed to military members because they’re essentially complicit in a UCMJ violation. Not saying I think the weed rule as a whole is good or bad thing, but that’s the law of the land right now, so it makes sense.
11 years ago at 4:26 pmI don’t understand the issue here. If they were prohibited from smoking/consuming marijuana previously, who cares if they can’t enter the store. I’m all for recreational marijuana use if you’re an adult, but it has and will continue to be off limits for military personnel, law enforcement, etc. The military drug tests you periodically and a positive test, even for marijuana, could really hurt your career.
11 years ago at 5:49 pmThis is a guy trying to protect his troops. Whether he agrees with the policy or not, it’s no tolerance and he understands that. I see what he’s doing as a good thing, now the rule of it being illegal in the Armed Forces is another topic which he honestly has no pull in.
11 years ago at 6:41 pmHe definitely agrees with the policy, his son was my best bro in high school and both he and his wife went to BYU and are very Mormon.
11 years ago at 11:25 amYeah, I’m enlisted while simultaneously in ROTC. I was initially for the army banning weed even if it was legalized until I met some prior service vets and have heard their stories. Modern wars seem to take a more emotional effect than they used to.
11 years ago at 7:14 pm