US Army allows Americans with marijuana convictions to enlist

The maximum age for joining the Army, Army Reserves and National Guard will be 42, instead of 35, which was the previous limit.

Additionally, Americans with a single prior conviction for marijuana possession are now allowed to enlist, which was not previously allowed. However, cannabis use is not permitted once the recruit is accepted.

Also in 2006 - during the Iraq War - the enlistment limit was raised to 42, but was lowered back to 35 a decade later.

The new rules go into effect on April 20. The US Air Force and Navy already accept recruits up to 40 years old, while the Marine Corps has a general age limit of 28. The minimum age for enlistment is 17 with parental consent; otherwise, 18.