The U.S. Army has granted more than 300 waivers this year for cannabis use compared to 2016, according to an Associated Press report. In 2017, more than 500 active-duty waivers were granted in 2017, compared to 191 the year prior.
The waivers represent about one-quarter of the total misconduct waivers granted by the Army this budget year, which ended Sept. 30; in all, there was a 50 percent overall increase for misconduct waivers granted to recruits.
Maj. Gen. Jeff Snow, head of the Army’s recruiting command, told the AP that the number of waivers granted for cannabis use will probably increase as more states decriminalize or legalize cannabis but he doesn’t hope that the numbers of waivers for cannabis-use increases.
“Provided they understand that they cannot do that when they serve in the military, I will waive that all day long,” – Maj. Gen. Snow.
The waivers come amidst increased recruitment, which is up 6,000 from 2016 to nearly 69,000 this year. “Category four” waivers, those for recruits who scored a 31 or less out of 99 on the aptitude test, also increased from just over a half-percent in 2016 to nearly 2 percent in 2017. Those recruits are not allowed waivers for cannabis use, or health, or conduct.
The Army’s fiscal year 2018 recruiting goal is 80,000.