Hi all, I appreciate how often this sub helps people navigating past MJ use and clearances. I am looking for advice specifically on how to best word responses for Section 23, not whether my situation is disqualifying (I would assume all three “end dates” I’m working with demonstrate abstinence and maturity).
Context:
Mid-20s recent grad (2024) pursuing defense roles and preparing for the SF-86.
MJ history (summary):
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First use: late high school (2018, was 16).
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Occasional, irregular use from late 2018 to mid-2019, mostly social. I cannot give an exact count. If forced to estimate, it would be somewhere in the “teens,” but that is a rough guess since that period was extremely busy and blends together.
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Stopped in 2019 after deciding it was not something I wanted in my life.
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Two isolated instances later on occurred around 2021 to 2022. I am certain there were only two total, but I am unclear whether both were in 2021 or if one was in 2021 and the other in 2022. These were one-off situations, not a pattern of use.
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No intentional use since then.
Timeline uncertainty:
At one point someone suggested I might have used once in late 2023. I have no memory of doing so, and that same person later said they do not recall me partaking either. Because of that, I feel stuck between not wanting to omit something and not wanting to report something that may not have actually occurred.
Main questions:
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How should I best describe frequency when it was infrequent and the count is only a rough estimate from years ago?
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How do investigators prefer applicants handle uncertain timelines, especially around last use, when recall is not precise?
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What is the most effective way to present mitigation in a scenario like this, including long period of non-use, isolated later instances, and clear personal reasons for abstaining (ideological, religious, health)?
My goal is to be straightforward and credible without overstating certainty where it does not exist. Any insight would be appreciated.