US Navy Policy Documents Cannabis & Hemp

WHAT’S NEW IN OPNAV N170D?
NEW Policy on Hemp Products
Hemp and CBD products are widely available on the commercial market after the signing of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (“2018 Farm Bill”). The Navy’s prohibition of hemp-derived products, including cannabidiol (CBD), was not impacted by the Farm Bill. Find further information on the new policy clarifying Navy’s stance on hemp-derived products here.
POLICY DOCUMENT
UNCLASSIFIED//
ROUTINE
R 071247Z AUG 19
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC
CMC WASHINGTON DC
BT
UNCLAS

ALNAV 057/19

MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/AUG//

SUBJ/PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF HEMP PRODUCTS//

REF/A/DOC/DOD/SECNAVINST/APR 19//
NARR/REF A IS SECNAVINST 5300.28F MILITARY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND 
CONTROL//

RMKS/1.  On December 20, 2018, the President signed into law the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018, removing industrial hemp from the Controlled 
Substances Act (21 U.S.C.  802(16)) and excluding from the definition of 
marijuana those hemp products containing up to 0.3 percent 
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a dry weight basis.  THC in marijuana and in 
those hemp products containing more than 0.3 percent THC remain illegal.

2.  Due to this change in the law, new hemp products are commercially 
available in the United States, the normal use of which could cause a 
positive urinalysis result.  The United States Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) does not determine or certify the THC concentration of commercially 
available hemp products, such as cannabidiol (also known as CBD).
Accordingly, these products maycontain appreciable levels of THC, yet omit 
any reference to THC on the product label and/or list an inaccurate THC 
concentration.  Consequently, Sailors and Marines cannot rely on the 
packaging and labeling of hemp products in determining whether the product 
contains THC concentrations that could cause a positive urinalysis result.

3.  Substance abuse by members of the Armed Forces is incompatible with 
military standards of good order and discipline, performance, and operational 
readiness.  It is the goal of the Department of the Navy to eliminate 
substance abuse.  The use of products containing or derived from hemp, may 
interfere with the Navy and Marine Corps Drug Testing Program and result in 
the reporting of unlawful THC levels in Sailors and Marines.  In order to 
ensure military readiness and the reliability and integrity of the Drug 
Testing Program, the knowing ingestion (orally, intravenously, through 
smoking/vaporization, or through other means) of products containing, or 
products derived from, hemp is prohibited.  Failure by military personnel to 
comply with this All Navy Message (ALNAV) is a violation of the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 92, Failure to Obey a Lawful General 
Order, and any other UCMJ article that may apply.  Violations may result in 
administrative and/or disciplinary action.

4.  Effective immediately:
    a.  Sailors and Marines are prohibited from knowingly using products made 
or derived from hemp (as defined in 7 U.S.C.  1639o), including cannabidiol 
(CBD), regardless of the products THC concentration, claimed or actual, and 
regardless of whether such product may lawfully be bought, sold, and used 
under the law applicable to civilians.  Use means to inject, ingest, inhale, 
or otherwise introduce into the human body.  Use includes the knowing use of 
hemp products designed to penetrate through the skin layer, including but not 
limited to transdermal patches.
    b.  This prohibition does not apply to the ingestion, consumption, or 
application of cannabinoid formulations approved as drugs by the Food and 
Drug Administration for which the Service Member has a valid prescription, 
such as dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros) and cannabidiol (Epidiolex).  A 
prescription will be deemed valid if issued by the Service Members assigned 
Department of Defense approved medical service provider or a civilian medical 
professional whose care the Service Member was referred or directed to seek.
    c.  This prohibition also does not apply to the use of topical products 
such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions, or soaps.

5.  The primary point of contact for this message is Assistant Secretary of 
the Navy, (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), Drug Demand Reduction Program.
    a.  For United States Marine Corps Commands:  Mr. Eric Hollins, 
eric.c.hollins@usmc.mil or by phone at (703) 784-9526.
    b.  For Navy Commands:  Ms. LaNorfeia Parker, Lanorfeia.parker@navy.mil, 
or by phone at (901) 874-4900.

6.  This ALNAV remains in effect until superseded or cancelled, whichever 
comes first.

7.  Released by the Honorable Richard V. Spencer, Secretary of the Navy.//

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NEW Hemp and CBD Fact Sheets

Find fact sheets that discuss hemp-derived and CBD products at Policies and Publications > Handbooks and Guides, or by clicking for the fact sheet on hemp or CBD.

Hemp Fact Sheet (NEW 2019)

Cannabidiol (CBD) Fact Sheet (NEW 2019)

Marijuana Awareness Guide (updated 2019) ​

Urinalysis Program Coordinator OPGuide

BB and PL Discrepancy Code Frequently Asked Questions​

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