FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
"Cheeba Chews" can cause career issues
by Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Parkinson
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
6/13/2013 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The latest trends in consumption and distribution of tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, may impact Air Commandos.
"Cheeba Chews," which look like taffy candy, have been showing up in different locations. The "medicated" chews contain 70mg to 175mg of THC, which is normally found in marijuana, according to the Southern Maryland Information Center in Waldorf, Maryland.
"Some drugs can accidently get in the body," said Senior Airman Christopher Guthrie, 1st Special Operations Wing Judge Advocate General paralegal. "Because of these factors, the [Department of Defense] places thresholds on the presence of drugs in the body. We are allowed to test positive for certain drugs as long as they are below the DOD cutoff. However, THC is not allowed in our bodies at all, and trace amounts could lead to a discharge."
The "un-medicated" chews contain hemp seed oil, which laboratory studies in Utah have shown can make consumers test positive for THC after ingesting.
"The bottom line is situational awareness of what you eat, because you never know what is in it," said Master Sgt. Charles Mann, 1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron first sergeant.
