I went for my 3rd class renewal and said yes to 18N. On the medical history. I’ve only smoked marijuana a few times. I have never had any legal troubles of any kind, it was self submission. The AME wasn’t too sure what to do since my issue was not event based so he called the Regional Office and they told him to defer my medical certificate. I have contacted AOPAs medical and legal team and they referred me to an attorney. AOPAs medical department said it wouldn’t be that big of a deal that the FAA would probably have me do a personal statement, and visit a substance abuse psychiatrist. At this point I’m just waiting for the letter in the mail to reply to from the FAA.
See link for what the FAA wants to see... https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...m/ame/guide/media/DrugUseDispositionTable.pdf
Alas, an attorney isn't going to help at this point. As BradZ's document shows, deferral is obligatory. You're stuck until your application rises to the top of the pile in Joklahoma City. Get the information shown ready to send it in. I've had friends in the same situation a while ago and eventually they were issued. I'm not sure if the FAA climate has changed with regard to that. This is why you get a competent AME. You could have possibly shaved some time had they bothered to look things up. The worksheet BradZ posted isn't a secret.
Why did you answer yes to abuse or dependence? In any case, would have benefited from an AME consult first.
By that definition of abuse, drinking any alcohol with the intent to get drunk is also abuse. Congratulations, you basically just nullified the entire pilot population's eligibility for a medical. Illegality of the substance has nothing to do with whether one has abused or not abused the substance.
Could wait until the federal Government makes marijuana legal I keep hearing about congress trying to attach it to a bill. I know here in Arizona after they made it legal it also allows for anyone convicted of the offence to have their record expunged of the crime.
Ain't going to happen. Still unlikely to be legal for flying. THey'll just reword the question on the application.
It will become the same as taking a medication or drinking alcohol it just no longer will be an "Illegal substance". According to polls 52% of America has used Marijuana once in their lifetime yet how many disclose that?
Medication is required to be reported, even OTC. As I said, if it because federally legal, expect the questions to be revised. There's tons of stuff it's illegal to fly if you're taking even though it's perfectly legal. ' It only asks for the past two years. The stat is actually 52% of those over 18 have tried at at *SOME* time in their life.
OP said he smoked it. It can be eaten, inhaled, drank, rubbed into the skin, bonged, hooka’d, distilled, cyroprecipitated, or vaped. It can also be something from which one can abstain. FAA makes the regs, pilots gotta follow em, like them or not. Personally, I’m more concerned by the American obesity epidemic than weed. Elevated BP, heart disease and diabetes are hard to run from once you invite them in.
They will reply with a certified demand letter for a panel 5 within 24 hours of signature of the certified. It's it's positive, you're done- and it could be positive from a month ago if you smoked heavily. Get commentary from your local doc that you have NO criteria for substance use disorder. Or, if he is not comfortable with that, find a courthouse evaluator who is willing to write you up for about $300- just be sure he gives five minihistories, lifelong as to use in the face of negative consequences, tolerance, withdrawal, lifestyle centered on the use of...
Once it becomes legal seems like it'd be prudent to set rules for recency of use and do an evaluation for the mental issues that heavy use is associated with.
I took a class, Philosophy of Science, boiled down to- Sometimes its ok to lie! Legal wouldn't even be a good start. It needs to be delisted as a sched. 1 so that it can be researched and strains catalogued Sometimes you just want some bell pepper not a habanero!
Some indication of issues with heavy use have been reported, and are being studied. I had several "pot head" friends in the 1970s. Most turned out OK, a couple are permanent slackers, but they may have started out that way! Certainly testing is needed to see how long effects can be noticed for casual users. It's easier for alcohol, below .xx and eight hours BTT (which doesn't take into account hangover!) I doubt there will be a field test for THC in the blood, but who knows.
I don't too much care if they used a day or more ago. I do care if cognitive function declines below whatever relevant threshold. Specifically memory and emotional functions. But idk where reality and a bad Cheech and Chong sketch intersect. I suppose it's the difference between substances (and metabolites) in the body at detectable levels vs levels high enough to matter.
Must have been really bad if Tommy Chong didn’t show up for the performance. Like you, I am so glad fat thumb syndrome isn’t reportable on an FAA medical.
