Top-Secret National Security Clearance But You Still Can’t Smoke Weed?

Some wonder how an agency with the watchword “intelligence” could make such an unusual or unintelligent decision at such a crucial time.

US Secret Service officials are currently locked in a wills battle with the Secret Service’s board of directors over the right to use cannabis outside of business hours. Because of the federal classification of cannabis as a Schedule 1 category, all federal agencies use positive cannabis tests as a valid reason to suspend, penalize, or terminate the appointment of their employees.

Currently, medical cannabis and recreational cannabis are being legalized in various states across the country. One would expect these authorities to allow after-hours use of cannabis, or at least reduce the penalties associated with use of the drug. All jobs that require security clearance still work with decades-old regulations. These agencies have yet to look beyond cannabis use to issue safety clearances for workers.

The existing policy also affects workers in federal agencies where recreational or medicinal cannabis is legal. Even areas like Washington, DC, which have legalized the use of both drugs, have yet to change that policy.

Still no cannabis clearance!

It is common knowledge that security clearances are issued to US government employees and contractors. Anyone involved in activities related to state affairs must first be unlocked. These clearances demonstrate that an individual is authorized to have access to national security information.

Reports from dozens of news outlets worldwide indicate that workers with national security clearances are not being issued cannabis clearances. These workers must not use any form of cannabis-derived drug or product at any time, either during office hours or during their free time.

Last year, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines announced that people who are permitted to learn details about the country’s security problems are not permitted to engage in cannabis activities. He specifically said that workers who use cannabis could never get clearance within the Secret Service. The unclassified memo was released to clarify the growing confusion about legalizing cannabis under the new nationwide cannabis laws.

Haines believes that illegal and psychoactive drugs should not be used by anyone with full or partial agreement with the nation’s scientific details. The US Secret Service issues three levels of security, namely confidential, secret and top secret. The agency also has a more sensitive category known as Specialized Compartmented Information (SCI). The memo calls on all agency heads to ensure military, civilian and contract personnel who have security clearance are not allowed access to cannabis. He reminded those agencies that the federal constitution still makes drug use an illegal and criminal offense.

The Director also highlighted other important concerns of the agencies. He wrote that the use of cannabis and other illegal drugs by those with access to national security affairs could be a potential violation. He said these drugs could lower a person’s alertness, raising concerns about how reliable and trustworthy an employee might be. Natural safety is a highly sensitive issue and workers close to its details are in sensitive positions. They must be willing to follow federal rules, laws and regulations, whether or not they have been changed in the state where these offices are located.

Haines stressed that an autistic worker involved in drug use could be prosecuted.

No ties to the cannabis industry

The memo mentioned that workers must not be affiliated with a cannabis company. Haines also implied that prior cannabis use was a key criterion for whether or not a person belonged in the agency. Relevant are the frequency of use of a person in the past and the possibility of falling into old habits. Employees who have used cannabis in the past must sign. Attestation forms showing that future use is unlikely. Depending on the level of security clearance achieved, other applicable damage limitations may also be signed.

Simply put, the memo implies that anyone likely to continue using cannabis and other illegal drugs should have nothing to do with requesting a security clearance. Workers who use illegal drugs in the future could also have their security clearance withdrawn.

This policy is not just limited to psychoactive drugs. It also extends to CBD products derived from hemp plants. Although the US Congress has legalized the consumption of hemp products as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC, national intelligence claims that most of these products contain more than 0.3% THC. Instead of taking risks, all workers are expected to stay away from all forms of cannabis and hemp.

In addition to these rules, all US Secret Service employees are prohibited from investing in cannabis companies. The government official explained that those seeking employment in security clearance positions are not allowed to invest in companies associated with cannabis growers or processors.

The US Department of Defense also supports this policy. The department also reportedly takes action against its workers and contractors who have a history of using cannabis or are actively using the drug. A report was released on the department’s website explaining that they are doing this to ensure workers and applicants on the force realize cannabis is still prohibited at the federal level.

bottom line

This clarifying memo was sent to educate security chiefs and their staff on how habitual use of cannabis and hemp products could affect an individual’s security clearance clearance. These latest developments from the Biden administration appear to clash with current social beliefs and norms. At a time when cannabis is widely available across the country, it’s disappointing that the intelligence community is refusing to relax some rules to at least allow medicinal use of cannabis outside of business hours.

If you are seeking US government employment, you should stay away from cannabis products and stop investing in cannabis-related companies. At least until federal reforms are passed!

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