JASON RANTZ

What is harm of JBLM soldiers smoking marijuana?

Apr 1, 2014, 12:19 PM | Updated: 1:37 pm

Even though marijuana use is legal among those over 21 in the state of Washington, soldiers at JBLM...

Even though marijuana use is legal among those over 21 in the state of Washington, soldiers at JBLM still can't take part. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith)

(AP Photo/Bruce Smith)

Taken from Monday’s edition of The Jason Rantz Show.

Even though marijuana use is legal among those over 21 in the state of Washington, soldiers at JBLM still can’t touch the stuff.

“They face criminal charges and career-ending discipline if caught with a substance still banned by the federal government,” The News Tribune reports.

TNT says last year, JBLM carried out 86,956 urinalysis tests. The drug tests turned up 396 soldiers who were using marijuana.

My question is, is this worth it? Are all of these resources, all of this money, all of this time spent on going after soldiers who choose to smoke something that is legal in this state, is this worth it?

There are people who are currently in power, who are currently in political office, they grew up being told how dangerous marijuana is. They were being told alarmist positions on this drug.

There is no doubt that marijuana can, in fact, be dangerous if you are young, if you are a teen whose brain is still developing; if you’re working, if you’re on the job and you’re high, there are some dangerous consequences, some dangerous health effects associated with marijuana, there’s no doubt. But the majority of people who use marijuana, if they’re using it responsibly, there aren’t many risks.

We are sending off kids at JBLM to potentially die to protect us, to protect this country, and they can’t choose to smoke marijuana if they want? If they’re doing it after-hours and it has no effect on their performance the next day or a few days later, what is the legitimate harm in them smoking marijuana? What is the legitimate harm for someone who is not working if they choose to smoke the night before?

No one is taking this position that we should be showing up to work stoned. No one is saying soldiers should be out on the battlefield stoned out of their mind. No one is saying soldiers should go out shooting on the target range while stoned. We’re simply saying on their off time, when it has zero effect on their job, what is the harm?

Taken from Monday’s edition of The Jason Rantz Show.

JS

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-7pm toThe Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

Jason Rantz

Burien lawsuit...

Jason Rantz

Exclusive: City of Burien sues King County for breaking contract in homeless camping ban

The City of Burien filed a lawsuit against King County for its refusal to enforce a homeless camping ban that was lawfully adopted.

3 hours ago

Image: The Stevens County Sheriff's Office says it recently received an odd call from a Sasquatch h...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Sheriff’s office asked legality of hunting Sasquatch in Stevens County

A Sasquatch hunter had an interesting question for the Stevens County sheriff. Is it legal to hunt Sasquatch?

20 hours ago

Image: Children bike past Wilson Elementary in Spokane....

Jason Rantz

Rantz: ‘Racist’ Spokane elementary school’s ‘slaves and hobos’ ignites controversy

After a teacher told students they could dress as "slaves and hobos" for an event, the Spokane NAACP cried foul.

2 days ago

Images: At left, Bellevue Police Department Officer Kevin Bereta is seen in his uniform. At right, ...

Julia Dallas

Bellevue officer injured in VP Harris motorcade recalls road to reclaiming benefits

Bellevue Police Officer Kevin Bereta's life changed while he was on VP Kamala Harris' service detail during her visit to Washington.

2 days ago

permanent supportive housing...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: You’re being lied to about permanent supportive housing in Redmond

Redmond residents rightly push back against permanent supportive housing as a solution for the homeless, as Seattle media get in the way.

3 days ago

WA State Attorney General Bob Ferguson campaigning.  (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: On crime, Bob Ferguson campaign made its first massive blunder

The Bob Ferguson campaign wants you thinking his top priority is crime. His entire political history says otherwise.

4 days ago

What is harm of JBLM soldiers smoking marijuana?