The United States Secret Service has always been a tough job to get. The duty of protecting the United State’s legislators is one of utmost importance. One thing that has always been a qualification for the position is one’s ability to pass a drug test. This is often the case with many other branches of government and the private sector. But as of recently, with many states legalizing marijuana, the rules are loosening. This is also the case for prospective agents in the secret service.
As of recently, the secret service has loosened their rules on past marijuana use for possible agents. Their employment policy has become more accommodating to applicants who have smoked marijuana in the past. This is just one of the latest federal agencies to change their cannabis rules amidst legalization within the USA.
The rules of marijuana use in the secret service are complicated. In the past, a person who last consumed cannabis when they were 24 or younger could apply for the job one year after not consuming the drug. Applicants who used marijuana at the age of 28 or older were rendered ineligible for at least 5 years. Last month the change was made so that if you consumed cannabis at any time, you only had to be abstinent of the drug for one whole year.
“It is recognized that an applicant may have used or purchased cannabidiol (CBD) or hemp-seed related over-the-counter products (e.g., oils, lotions, shampoos, dietary supplements, food) or any CBD or hempseed related drug or medical product approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in the one (1) year period prior to the date of application… In such cases, the applicant’s eligibility for employment will be considered on a case-by-case basis by adjudicative personnel.”
This update has allowed for more applicants to be eligible for the role. This marijuana policy has also affected other agencies within the US government including the CIA. The CIA has often been known to refuse computer skilled applicants because of their marijuana use. This has led to a shortage in hacker-esque applicants, weakening the sector. Recently this has changed to allow these types of people to apply for the position.
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