The question of whether it is legal to smoke cannabis in space isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. While there are obvious safety and practical concerns related to combustion in a microgravity environment, there are also significant legal considerations based on international space law, national drug policies, and the jurisdiction under which a spacecraft is registered.
The Legal Framework of Space: The Outer Space Treaty
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, signed by over 100 countries including the United States, Russia, and China, forms the backbone of space law. Under this treaty, space is recognized as the “province of all mankind” and is meant for peaceful purposes. However, the treaty also outlines that national governments are responsible for activities in space, whether conducted by a governmental agency or a private entity. This means that space missions, even those operated by private companies, must adhere to the laws of the country where the spacecraft is registered.
Under U.S. federal law, cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I controlled substance (even downgrading it to schedule 3 is coming), making its use illegal. As a result, NASA – a U.S. government agency—prohibits the use of cannabis by astronauts, even if they are on a mission in international space. Astronauts are regularly subject to drug testing before and during missions, and a positive result would disqualify them from spaceflight..
However, the legal situation changes for private space missions. If a spacecraft is registered in a country where cannabis is legal, such as Canada or the Netherlands, the legal framework for cannabis use may differ. In these cases, the spacecraft is subject to the laws of the country of registration. Therefore, it’s theoretically possible that it might be legal to smoke cannabis in space if the mission is governed by a country with more lenient cannabis laws.
Jurisdiction and National Laws: Private Companies and Cannabis
The rise of private space exploration with companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic complicates the legal landscape further. Private companies, especially those not based in the United States, could theoretically allow cannabis use if their spacecraft are registered in a country with more permissive laws. For instance, if a Canadian-registered spacecraft conducted a mission, the more lenient cannabis laws of Canada might apply to astronauts or space tourists on board.
It’s worth noting, however, that even in countries where cannabis is legal, space agencies like the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) still adhere to strict federal regulations regarding drug use in space. For now, these agencies mirror NASA’s zero-tolerance policy, focusing on maintaining the physical and mental fitness of astronauts without the potential cognitive impairments caused by cannabis.
The Dangers of Smoking Cannabis in Space
Beyond legal considerations, there are significant safety concerns surrounding the idea to allow people to smoke cannabis in space. Spacecraft and stations like the International Space Station (ISS) are controlled, oxygen-rich environments, where even a small fire can quickly become a life-threatening emergency. Smoking in space, which involves combustion, would pose a serious risk to both astronauts and equipment.
In microgravity, particles like ash or embers would float freely, creating additional hazards. These particles could damage sensitive equipment, infiltrate ventilation systems, or even pose health risks to astronauts by contaminating the air supply. For these reasons, NASA and other space agencies ban any kind of smoking in space.
While traditional smoking is impractical, this doesn’t necessarily preclude other methods of cannabis consumption in space, such as edibles, vapes, or transdermal patches, all of which eliminate the risks associated with combustion.
How Cannabis Could Be Used in Space: Alternatives to Smoking
If cannabis were to be legally and safely used in space, it would likely be consumed through alternative methods. Here are some of the most feasible ways:
- Edibles: Cannabis-infused foods or capsules could be consumed without posing any danger to the spacecraft. Edibles offer a controlled, smoke-free way of delivering cannabinoids like THC and CBD into the body. However, the effects of edibles take longer to set in and can be more difficult to dose correctly, which might not be ideal in space where quick, clear thinking is essential(Zamnesia).
- Vapes: Vaping cannabis could be a safer alternative to smoking, as vaporizers heat cannabis without combustion. However, even vaporizing in space presents challenges. The vapors could still float around the cabin and interfere with sensitive equipment, so specialized vaporizing technology would need to be developed to make this method safe for use in space.
- Transdermal Patches: A transdermal patch infused with cannabis or cannabinoids would be one of the safest methods of administering cannabis in space. This method delivers a steady, controlled dose through the skin without releasing any vapor or smoke into the cabin. It would allow astronauts or space tourists to experience the effects of cannabis without jeopardizing safety.
- Tinctures or Oils: Cannabis tinctures and oils are another possibility. These products can be ingested sublingually (under the tongue) for relatively quick absorption, providing a controlled and discreet method of consumption in space.
Medical Cannabis and the Future of Space Exploration
In addition to recreational use, there is growing interest in the potential medical applications of cannabis in space, particularly CBD (cannabidiol), a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis known for its anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. CBD could be used to help manage the stress and inflammation astronauts experience during long-duration missions.
In fact, some companies and research initiatives are already looking into the possibility of growing hemp – a cannabis variety rich in CBD and low in THC in space. Hemp cultures were sent to the ISS in 2019 to study how the plant grows in microgravity, with the goal of understanding how cannabis might be cultivated in space to support human health during long missions.
As space exploration continues to evolve, the role of medical cannabis – particularly non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD may become a focus for addressing the physical and mental health needs of astronauts.
Conclusion
The question of whether cannabis is legal in space is complex and depends largely on the jurisdiction of the spacecraft. While NASA and other government space agencies prohibit its use due to federal law and safety concerns, private missions from countries where cannabis is legal could, in theory, allow for its use. However, smoking cannabis in space is not feasible due to the fire hazards and risks associated with microgravity. Instead, edibles, vaporization, and transdermal patches offer safer alternatives.
The future of medical cannabis, particularly CBD, may also play a role in supporting astronaut health as space exploration moves toward long-duration missions.
