Confusion regarding Hemp Seed oil and the military.

I have heard the same comment hundreds of times over the past decade. “I can’t use that lotion because the drug dogs will alert on me and anything with hemp is not allowed.”

Like many other myths and misconceptions, everyone just passes along these statements as fact instead of verifying the validity of the source.

Truth is that hemp seed and hemp seed oil products, from clothing to lotions, are derived from a plant in same family as the Cannabis plant. Hemp does  not contain any THC, which is what marijuana is and what is tested for. The military’s stance since 2004 is that ingesting hemp products is strictly forbidden. Skin care products containing hemp are not. However, in the military’s opinion, it may be possible that a search may give a false dog alert and would be at the least embarrassing, but not against regulations. If in doubt, ask your base commander or local office for advise.

The Associated Press
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – A trade organization is asking the Air Force to clarify that its ban on marijuana use doesn’t apply to personal care products that contain hemp seed oil.
The California-based Hemp Industries Association and the Indoor Tanning Association have sent Air Force Secretary James Roche a letter this week criticizing a recent article in the Cannon Air Force Base newspaper – Mach Meter.
The article warned airmen not to use products containing hemp seed oil, hemp oil or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol – known as THC – marijuana’s main active chemical.
The article said using such products created the “statistically small” chance of flunking a drug test and could attract attention from the base’s drug-sniffing dogs.
“While the lotion was not used with intent to break any laws and is not illegal, the fact that a military working dog alerts on your car or your person creates a perception that nobody wants,” said the article written by Capt. Gwendolyn Beitz.
People in the military are prohibited from using marijuana, and the services test for THC levels. Hemp is a plant that is used for a variety of products, from fiber for making clothes to tanning lotion.
The Cannon story said while base officials don’t think anyone would ingest a lotion, the lotion could be applied over a cut or scrape, creating a chance of absorption under certain circumstances.
A spokesman for the Hemp Industries Association disputes that such use could lead to a positive drug test.
“There’s no way a personal care product will cause someone to fail a drug test,” association spokesman Adam Eidinger said Thursday during a telephone interview.
Eidinger said the association that represents about 200 companies decided to write Roche because it complained to Cannon officials about the article and failed to get a response.
“We want the Air Force to clarify this policy,” Eidinger said. “At the very least, they should clarify that their ban on hemp foods does not apply to personal care products … which contain varying amounts of hemp oil.”

Original article here: http://amarillo.com/stories/2004/06/11/new_tradegroup.shtml#.VR2URfnF98E

Air Force: Sunscreen Not Part of Hemp Ban

The Associated Press
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE— The Air Force, in response to concerns from a hemp trade group and the tanning salon industry, says its ban on hemp seed or hemp seed oil products does not include skin care products containing hemp.
The California-based Hemp Industries Association and the Virginia-based Indoor Tanning Association in June asked the Air Force to clarify that its ban on marijuana use doesn’t apply to personal care products that contain hemp seed oil.
    The Air Force in 2001 changed its alcohol and drug abuse policies to prohibit its members from ingesting hemp seed or hemp seed oil products.
    However, the policy does not prohibit the use of skin care products containing hemp, Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kelley, assistant surgeon general, wrote the two industry groups in a letter this month.
The issue arose after the associations criticized an article in Cannon’s newspaper, Mach Meter.
The article, written by a judge advocate who defends airmen, warned them not to use products containing hemp seed oil, hemp oil or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol— THC— marijuana’s main active chemical. The article said such products create a “statistically small” chance of flunking a drug test or drawing the attention of a drug-sniffing dog.
“While the lotion was not used with intent to break any laws and is not illegal, the fact that a military working dog alerts on your car or your person creates a perception that nobody wants,” said the article written by Capt. Gwendolyn Beitz.
The Hemp Industries Association, which represents about 200 companies, disputed her conclusion. Candi Penn, the association’s executive director, said it’s ridiculous to think drug-sniffing dogs would target a person wearing hemp sun block and that there’s no example of anyone failing a drug test after using hemp personal care products.
Kelley’s letter explains the duties of judge advocates, saying they are encouraged to make airmen “broadly aware of risks that might damage their careers or land them in court.”
“The article by the Cannon Air Force Base area defense counsel was her independent, cautionary advice to airmen at Cannon about the possibility of unintended consequences from using tanning lotions and oils that contain hemp oil or hemp seed oil,” he wrote.

Original article here: http://www.abqjournal.com/news/military/210741military08-20-04.htm

See the official Air Force statement concerning hemp related products here: https://www.votehemp.com/PDF/AF_hemp_skincare_policy.pdf