Pentagon Reaffirms Marijuana Ban for Troops Despite Federal Reclassification Efforts

The Pentagon has reaffirmed its strict prohibition on marijuana use by military personnel and civilian employees, even as the Trump administration moves to reclassify marijuana at the federal level. In a July 9 memo, Undersecretary of Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata clarified that rescheduling marijuana—from Schedule I to Schedule III—does not decriminalize it under federal law, and that the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) continues to prohibit its use, possession, or distribution. The policy applies regardless of state-level legalization for recreational or medical purposes. Civilian Pentagon employees are also barred from marijuana use under drug-free workplace rules. The memo follows an executive order by President Trump in December and an April order by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana. The military has also relaxed some recruitment policies regarding prior marijuana convictions but maintains a zero-tolerance stance for active-duty personnel, citing national security and operational readiness.