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For almost 20 years, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” stood as a limit on the private lives of thousands of service members. Its repeal in 2011 was considered a victory for personal liberty and a way to expand the pool of citizens eligible to serve.
There’s another area where social norms have changed rapidly and the military is out of step with the broader public — marijuana use. In service of protecting individual freedoms and fortifying the military’s labor pool, I propose a new declaration: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Test.” The Department of Defense should stop asking whether its members use marijuana, and the military should stop testing for it.
The military does not routinely breathalyze its sailors for alcohol, an arguably more destructive substance for military members. It should likewise stop the outdated obsession of regularly testing for THC.
Imagine a force in which talent, energy and intelligence are prioritized regardless of off-duty recreational vices. Consider the savings in time, money and energy: The military tests more than 2 million service members annually and has a sizable urinalysis establishment to support the effort.
This change could relieve commanding officers…
