The US Forest Service reminds its employees that they remain subject to federal law

On June 22, Tony Dixon, deputy director of operations for the US Forest Service (USFS), released a statement examining the context and impact of cannabis on federal employees.

“Over the past decade or so, our views on marijuana use have changed radically,” Dixon explained. “Many states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and some have even allowed recreational use in a manner similar to tobacco or alcohol products. But where is the federal government?”

Like other federal agencies, USFS employees are subject to the same federal laws as everyone else. However, he also explained the ongoing problem of federal employees failing drug tests. “Because of the confusion surrounding these state-to-state changes, there has been a significant increase in the number of employees who fail drug tests,” he said. “These findings have been linked to the legalization of marijuana and led to remedial action, including suspensions and job losses.”

Depending on the agency, some people will be barred from applying if they have used cannabis within one to five years. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) previously required applicants to abstain from cannabis use for up to three years to be eligible for a job. However, in July 2021 this was changed to one year.

Previously, the US Secret Service allowed applicants 24 years of age or younger to apply for a job if they had been cannabis-free for a year, and those 28 and older had to be cannabis-free for at least five years. However, in May, the agency updated its rules to allow for the review of applications for those using hemp-derived cannabis products within a year of submitting an application.

However, according to Dixon, cannabis can discourage employees from going about their jobs. “I value all of my colleagues and want to make sure we all continue to do what we love in a safe environment,” he added. “I don’t want anyone to be punished or even lose their job for something that could easily be avoided.”

“Many forest service workers are already working in risky environments serving our communities,” he continued. “We want you to be aware of the negative impact this decision could have on the rest of your life. So I wanted to use this time to educate everyone about the regulations and expectations that are placed on us as Forest Service employees.”

Dixon also addressed CBD, warning that some products could mislabel products containing trace amounts of THC and potentially result in a positive drug test. He also provides information for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s national helpline, as well as online resources for treating people “struggling with Addi.”[c]tion.”

“Most importantly, I want to make sure that at the end of the day, no one’s employment is compromised or disrupted by situations that are within our control,” Dixon concluded. “Please remember that as a federal employee, regardless of the state, you are always subject to federal law.”

Although Dixon recommends that federal employees refrain from using cannabis and cites substance abuse services when they have difficulties, some studies have found evidence that many substances can be used to treat certain forms of addiction.

The results of a study published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022 found that psilocybin can be used to treat alcohol abuse disorders.

In October 2022, a study published in Substance Use & Misuse stated that four out of five patients studied in the study reported a decrease or reduction in opioid use after using medicinal cannabis. “The results suggest that shortly after medical cannabis was legalized, some patients using medicinal cannabis reduced opioid use without affecting quality of life or health functioning,” the researchers explained.

In March, researchers wrote in a study published in the journal Addiction Neuroscience that CBD helped female rats curb opioid addiction. “The ability of [whole-plant extract] “Reductions in opioid reward and drug-seeking behavior appear to be quite robust and of great clinical utility,” the researchers wrote.

Another study, published earlier this year in the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, also found that many chronic pain patients who used cannabis for six months reduced their opioid use. The researchers also found that “…patients prescribed oils or both types of CBMPs experienced reduced anxiety and an improvement in their ability to perform day-to-day activities,” the authors wrote.