Weed use over 10 years ago will I get secret clearance?

SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
1

Got an interview for a job with a defense contractor. If I land it I will have to get a top secret clearance. I used weed regularly from 2008-2011, and haven’t used it since then. The SF-86 form is asking for the last 7 years for drug use. If I answer No I won’t be lying but will I have trouble in an interview if they find out from the background investigation??

2

There are “Have you EVER” questions regarding illegal drug usage on the SF-86. Read them here https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf and see if they apply.

3

The only time drug use is a “Have you ever” question is drug use while holding a clearance or while serving as a law enforcement officer.

I dont think this will be an issue at all. No use within the past 7 years=answer “No” on the form

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4

Also “have you ever been charged with an offense involving drugs?”

5

No sir! So I guess if I have to do the interview I would just state my use if they ask ever in life?

6

You will most likely be asked if you ever used any illegal substances. Just answer honestly. There will be a follow up on the time frames of your use but that will be about the extent of it.

7

Really? If the investigator asks that and the subject replies, does that then become part of the report?

8

yes, it does become part of the ROI.

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9

Would be interesting to know what percentage of BI’s would go beyond the SF-86 and ask this question. I know I never have and never would.

10

Hopefully a large percentage that are doing the job correctly.

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11

Making up our own questions? If Uncle Sam wanted to know if the Subject has “ever” used illegal drugs, wouldn’t that question be on the SF-86? If we are allowed to make up our own questions, I am going to start asking if the Subject has ever failed to clean up after their dog while on a walk. Why? Because I think that shows whether they have self-discipline. Then I’m going to ask if the Subject ever bought a Nickel Back CD. Why? Because I think that an affirmative answer shows that they have poor judgment.

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12

I do my job 100% correctly and have never asked made up questions.

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13

Questions are not made up, straight out of official training manuals.

There is a huge problem with this agency not providing the same training across regions, much less between contractor and fed, it is a real disservice.

I made all sorts of snide comments about asking out of scope, in fact, I made the same comments as above.

I eventually learned I was wrong. Someday, you might too.

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