A San Antonio police officer who tested positive for marijuana metabolites during a mandatory drug test was given a 30-day suspension and placed under a last chance agreement after city records say he disclosed nightly use of THC gummies. Officer Kristopher D. Rich, who has been employed by SAPD since 2020, was initially facing possible termination after the department found he violated SAPD rules involving controlled substances, sound judgment, neglect of duty and conduct considered harmful to department order. The case highlights a complicated conflict for law enforcement officers in Texas, where certain low-THC medical cannabis use may be allowed under state law, but marijuana remains illegal under federal law. That conflict became important because Rich was a sworn officer assigned a department-issued firearm and ammunition while also using medical marijuana.  

Officer Said He Took THC Gummies Every Night

According to the disciplinary records, Rich was randomly selected in April 2025, and ordered by Police Chief William McManus to submit to a mandatory drug test. Rich provided a urine sample that was tested by a certified laboratory and later confirmed positive for marijuana metabolites above established cutoff levels. The result was then reviewed by a medical review officer, who also reported the sample as positive for marijuana metabolites. SAPD records state that the positive test violated department rules because marijuana is classified as a controlled substance.

During the investigation, Rich submitted a written statement saying, “I take my THC gummies prior to bed, every night.” Records say Rich disclosed he had been using medical marijuana since approximately May 2024, for treatment of a medical condition that is redacted in the public documents. He also provided documentation showing he was enrolled in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas and had a current prescription issued by a licensed physician. However, SAPD records state Rich acknowledged he had not disclosed his medical marijuana use to the department before the positive drug test.

Federal Law and ATF Guidance Became a Major Issue

SAPD’s concern was not just that Rich tested positive after using THC gummies. The records specifically point to the conflict between state-authorized medical marijuana use and federal law, which still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance. The department cited federal firearm law, saying people considered unlawful users of controlled substances are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. SAPD also cited guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, stating that people who use marijuana may still be treated as unlawful users under federal law even if their use is allowed under state law. SAPD records say the federal restrictions appeared to have “direct implications” for Rich’s ability to legally carry a firearm, which the department described as an essential part of his job.

SAPD Also Raised Fitness-for-Duty Concerns

The department also focused on Rich’s failure to report the medical marijuana use and the underlying medical condition, which is redacted in the records. SAPD stated it did not dispute the importance of officers receiving appropriate health care, and it did not question the legitimacy of Rich seeking medical treatment. However, the department said it had a vested interest in being informed about a diagnosis and treatment that could affect his fitness for duty. Records say SAPD viewed the disclosure issue as important because the use of THC gummies could affect Rich’s ability to safely perform police duties or respond when needed.

SAPD also cited the possibility of emergency recall situations. The records explain that officers can be called back during unusual or critical events requiring immediate police response. Because Rich said he took THC gummies before bed each night, SAPD said the use of medical marijuana had direct implications for his ability to respond to those situations. The department also pointed to potential liability concerns in policing, including use-of-force incidents, officer-involved shootings and police vehicle crashes, where an officer’s fitness for duty could become a major issue.

Discipline Reduced Under Last Chance Terms

Although Rich was initially facing possible termination, the discipline was reduced to a 30-day suspension. The suspension ran from Dec. 8, 2025, through Jan. 6, 2026. As part of the agreement, Rich accepted responsibility for the listed rule violations and agreed to additional conditions to remain employed. The agreement allowed him to keep his job, but it also placed him under heightened scrutiny for one year.

Under the last chance terms, McManus or his designee may require Rich to submit to drug testing at any time during the one-year period, even without cause or reasonable suspicion. Rich also agreed to submit to any drug test required under the department’s mandatory drug-testing policy. Any positive result for a controlled substance under state or federal law during that period would violate the agreement and result in termination. If that happens, Rich would only be able to challenge whether he violated the agreement, not whether termination was too severe.

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