Bill Overview
Title: REFORM Act
Description: This bill limits the maximum punishment for offenses related to the wrongful use or possession of marijuana under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and includes certain offenses related to controlled substances as ones handled by Special Trial Counsel.
Sponsors: Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice
Estimated Size: 2100000
- The bill specifically targets offenses related to the wrongful use or possession of marijuana.
- The legislation is focused on individuals subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which includes all active duty service members, as well as Reservists and National Guard members when they are activated.
- The bill may indirectly affect the families of these service members, particularly where disciplinary actions significantly impact family dynamics or economic wellbeing.
- Approximately 1.3 million active duty personnel are currently serving in the U.S. Military, with an additional 800,000 reservists and National Guard members, potentially bringing the total service member target population to around 2.1 million.
- Not all service members use marijuana, nor will all who do be subject to charges or offenses, suggesting the directly impacted population will be smaller than the total number of individuals under UCMJ.
Reasoning
- To understand the impact of the REFORM Act, we need to evaluate how changes in marijuana-related offenses affect individuals under the UCMJ and their families.
- We should consider different ranks and roles within the military as experiences and impacts may vary substantially between officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted personnel.
- Since only a minority of the military personnel may face marijuana-related charges, the direct impact in terms of legal changes will affect a smaller segment.
- It's also possible that cultural and social changes within military communities can affect wellbeing in a broader sense, reflecting shifts in perceptions and stigma as a result of policy changes.
- The budget constraints mean that the legislation is limited in scale and breadth of implementation. This will likely prioritize direct defendants and immediate family circumstances, focusing on cases going forward rather than historical grievances.
Simulated Interviews
Infantry Soldier (Fort Bragg, NC)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is a good change because it means less worry about minor slips turning into career-ending decisions.
- I'm hoping this reduces unnecessary punishments and focuses resources on more serious issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Military Police Officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The REFORM Act won't change the need to handle substance-related cases, but hopefully, it will reduce some of the less critical burdens.
- It is important that we adjust our focus to serious offenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Sailor (Naval Base Pearl Harbor, HI)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It feels like a lot of pressure gets lifted if smaller weed-related issues don't hang over your head.
- Families will be less stressed too, nothing out of control, but worthwhile.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Army Officer (Fort Hood, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Some benefits of the REFORM Act can trickle down, lessening administrative burdens.
- My family's stability was never threatened by marijuana policies, but I can see others more concerned finding some relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Naval Aviator (Pensacola, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy feels progressive. A shift to handling minor cases without court-martial seems sensible and overdue.
- I hope it contributes to broader acceptance and understanding in the ranks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Military Justice Lawyer (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The REFORM Act aligns with broader trends toward decriminalization, which I find promising.
- We're still obligated to maintain discipline, but adapting our stance on marijuana is smart and sensitive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Mechanic (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that prevents minor infractions from blowing up is welcome.
- I want more peace of mind so my off-duty time is relaxing, not tense.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Marine Corps General (New York, NY)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change seems inevitable given state-level trends, aligning the military justice system is logical.
- It won't affect me directly, but I've seen too many careers unnecessarily sidelined.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Marine Corps Drill Instructor (Camp Pendleton, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm skeptical about the loosening of policies; maintaining discipline should be a top priority.
- That said, addressing core issues with understanding might be more beneficial long-term for training effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Naval Intelligence Officer (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm confident the REFORM Act reflects social change, offering hope for modernization in military law.
- It could help alongside stress management programs, creating a healthier working environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $14000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $19000000)
Year 3: $13000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $18000000)
Year 5: $12000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $17000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $16000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Key Considerations
- Most direct costs and savings are within the Department of Defense budget.
- Potential long-term changes in military morale and judicial resource allocation.
- Overall societal views on marijuana use may impact military recruitment or retention.