U.S. Army Says 95% of Marijuana Conviction Waivers Were Already Being Approved Before Policy Change

The U.S. Army’s decision to end its waiver requirement for recruits with a single marijuana possession conviction came after officials determined the review process was approving nearly every case anyway.

Col. Angela Chipman, chief of the military personnel accessions and retention division, said waivers for a single marijuana-related conviction were being approved at a 95% rate before the policy was removed.

“Waivers were being approved at a 95% rate, so the higher approval authority created an unnecessary administrative burden,” Chipman said.

The Army’s updated policy, which took effect April 20, allows recruits with one past marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia possession conviction to move forward without seeking a waiver. The change does not apply to felony conduct or more serious offenses.

“The standards, when it comes to felonious behavior, have not changed,” Chipman said. “We’re not going to lower that.”

The policy change does not alter the military’s prohibition on marijuana use. Active-duty soldiers, reservists and members of the National Guard remain barred from using marijuana, including medical marijuana allowed under state law.

Service members who test positive for marijuana can still face discipline under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including separation from service, loss of benefits, restrictions on reenlistment and security clearance issues.

Although the policy does not represent a broader acceptance of marijuana use within the Army, the 95% approval rate shows that past low-level marijuana convictions were already rarely serving as a barrier to enlistment. The new rule formalizes that approach while removing a layer of paperwork from the recruitment process.