Could Past Marijuana Use Stop You From Getting a Federal Job? Congress May Finally Change That

27 Sep Could Past Marijuana Use Stop You From Getting a Federal Job? Congress May Finally Change That

Posted at 08:18h in HEMP NEWS by Carlos Hermida 0 Comments

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Cannabis may be legal in your state. You may have used it responsibly years ago. But when you apply for certain federal jobs or security clearances, that history can still follow you into the interview.

A new bipartisan bill in Congress could finally begin changing that.

The Cannabis Users’ Restoration of Eligibility Act, better known as the CURE Act, would prevent federal agencies from using past marijuana use as the reason to deny someone a federal job or security clearance.

The proposal was introduced by Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Republican Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa. That bipartisan support sends a simple message: judging qualified applicants by outdated cannabis stigma makes little sense for either political party.

What Would the CURE Act Change?

If passed, the bill would stop past cannabis use from serving as a stand-alone barrier to federal employment or a security clearance.

It would also require federal agencies to establish a process for reviewing certain denials dating back to January 1, 2008. Someone who believes they lost an opportunity solely because of previous marijuana use could request that the agency examine the decision again.

However, the bill would not legalize marijuana federally, guarantee anyone a government job or protect ongoing cannabis use by federal employees. Applicants would still need to meet every other employment and national-security requirement.

Why This Matters in Florida

Florida has a large medical marijuana program, but cannabis remains illegal under federal law. A patient can follow Florida law and still encounter problems when pursuing a federal career or a position requiring a security clearance.

That contradiction does more than punish cannabis consumers. It can prevent federal agencies from hiring qualified professionals in fields such as cybersecurity, technology, health care and intelligence.

Your ability to serve the country should be judged by your qualifications, honesty and conduct—not by the fact that you used cannabis in the past.

Read the Full Story

The CURE Act has not become law, and several steps remain before its protections could take effect. Suncoast NORML has published a complete breakdown covering what the bill would do, what it would not do and how it could affect cannabis consumers in Florida.