White House staffers asked to resign or work remotely after revealing past marijuana use

[ForgoTheConsequence]

Source: CNN

Several White House staffers were asked to resign, were suspended or are working remotely after revealing past marijuana use during their background checks, sources familiar with the situation tell CNN.

Five people are no longer employed at the White House, while additional staffers are working remotely. In many of the cases involving staffers who are no longer employed, additional security factors were in play, including for some hard drug use, the official said.
While marijuana use is legal in many states, it is still illegal on the federal level, which can present a hurdle in the federal security clearance process.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/19/politics/biden-white-house-staff-marijuana/index.html

---

Guess it's better to just lie?

[Lettuce Be]

1. Needs to be legal federally now.

[YoshidaYui]

35. Agreed

I remember hearing Kamala say she wanted Joe to do something about removing the status of Cannabis...they were talking seriously about it at one point.

[maxsolomon]

59. As usual, the GOP Senate stands in the way.

And, likely, Joe Manchin.

I could be decriminalized in every state in the Union, but the Fedrul Schedule 1 Narcotic listing will outlive us all.

[PSPS]

2. "Guess it's better to just lie?"

No, it's better to be able to pass a proper security clearance check. Would you prefer we return to the trump standard of overriding security rejections? Biden doesn't need anyone who can't pass a security check.

[TwilightZone]

4. Agreed.

My thoughts exactly.

[Garion_55]

9. If its just weed?

Damn right he should override

[ColinC]

17. This is not a security clearance check.

You can pass a security clearance if you smoked pot easily, as I know plenty of people who have TSs and have smoked pot. This is something more.

[stopdiggin]

38. Thanks. I suspect this will turn out to be

another case of inaccurate, or misleading, reporting. Of course, you can't be 'currently' flouting the law (federal or otherwise) -- but just past use of the weed? Nah. Not buying it.

[ColinC]

41. Or bad sources, maybe?

Maybe some people have been denied their clearances and are blaming biden for it.

[COL Mustard]

63. Yes, This Is For A "Yankee White" Clearance

It's much more stringent. I have had TS at various points in my career and currently have a Secret clearance. When I did the paperwork for that, it only asked about the past 7 years. Next one will be a snap. A Yankee White? I very much doubt I'd get it as much of a Boy Scout as I tend to be.

[ColinC]

68. That the same as ts/sci?

[COL Mustard]

71. Much More Stringent

From what I’m told, there’s an accounting of every day since you turned 18.

[ColinC]

72. Never heard of it!

How interesting! I've always thought the SCI was the highest. I guess it makes sense for not everybody to know about though, given the sensitivity.

[ColinC]

73. After discussing this further here, I am realizing something.

I think white house staff hiring these people might have made the false assumption that the marijuana use wouldn't effect them. Then, when their clearances didn't go through because of it (or perhaps other issues), the people blamed the White House, when really giving them any assurance that the drug use wouldn't effect them wasn't anything that should have been said before a background was completed.

[former9thward]

30. What is this? 1971?

Why would a security check care about MJ use? Most of the states have legalized it in one form or another. A real backwards step.

[mpcamb]

66. Oh, fer chrissakes! Ignore that crap. Any rational person is over it!

It's a ruse to boot some of our best.
Just don't rise to the bait.

[DBoon]

43. Better not to seek the clearance in the first place if you know you won't pass

Failing a clearance would set off warnings in your record for future employers

I recall some employment applications that would ask this.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Did cocaine usage keep T***p Jr. from getting a security clearance?

[PSPS]

6. Really? Whataboutism? It should have. You want Biden to mimic trump?

[ripcord]

7. Too many here think we should

Thankfully Biden has more sense and rather than get revenge he wants to help all Americans.

[Steelrolled]

16. He wouldn't be mimicing Trump

Biden would be doing in on behalf of Democrats. Trump was doing it on the behalf of Republicans. Don't you see the difference? /s

[stopdiggin]

39. Yep.

As the little sister use to say: "that's waaay different!"

[COL Mustard]

64. T***p Was Doing It On Behalf Of T***p

Everything that man does is for one person's benefit, and it ain't Ivanka or even Junior.

(OK Colonel, relax...your blood pressure's going up....)

[paleotn]

36. No, we want weed use off the list of "bad things in your past".

In the 21st century, where it's legal in numerous states, just don't ask.

[lagomorph777]

22. I'll bet he wishes it had kept him off TV.

He's made a total fool of himself and will be seeing those embarrassing clips forever.

[deurbano]

26. Did Jr. get one? I thought it was just his creepy sister and her husband.

Not that T***p Sr. didn't blab all our secrets to Jr. and anyone else who would listen...

[Hugh_Lebowski]

52. I think you are correct (nt)

[Historic NY]

5. Lie on a integrity test.

The Bond Amendment 2008 prohibits all Federal agencies from granting or renewing a security clearance for any covered person who is an unlawful user of a controlled substance or is an addict. No exceptions.

[Garion_55]

8. Punished if you tell the truth

Rewarded if you lie. Only in America

[brush]

10. Not really. If you lie and it's found out, you're gone. As long as...

pot use is still a federal crime, there's nothing else the admin can do.

It should of course be legal federally but it's not yet.

[PJMcK]

11. SF-86

It's called Standard Form 86:

https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf

It asks lots of questions, as you can read. Kushner and his wife couldn't pass the questions involved and Trump had to intercede to allow his daughter and son-in-law to have a security clearance. (They never would have received clearance in a normal administration because Kushner's financial issues made him vulnerable to manipulation.)

There are, curiously enough, numerous reference to this form in the TV show, "The West Wing."

The form specifically asks about one's personal history, education, employment history, personal and professional associations, financial history and personal behavior. Here's the statement of purpose from the form:

This form will be used by the United States (U.S.) Government in conducting background investigations, reinvestigations, and continuous evaluations of persons under consideration for, or retention of, national security positions as defined in 5 CFR 732, and for individuals requiring eligibility for access to classified information under Executive Order 12968. This form may also be used by agencies in determining whether a subject performing work for, or on behalf of, the Government under a contract should be deemed eligible for logical or physical access when the nature of the work to be performed is sensitive and could bring about an adverse effect on the national security.

The issue of marijuana use is pertinent because the U.S. Government still classifies it as a Schedule 1 drug. While this is a stupid policy, until it's changed, cannabis use is still a federal crime and therefore disqualifies someone from a government position with any security clearance.

One point in President Biden's favor on this issue: If the White House is pot-free, it eliminates a potential weapon from the Republicans. You know they would use it if they could show that "senior advisors to President Biden are using illegal drugs."

To be clear, I think cannabis use should be legal. Right now, it's really not.

[ColinC]

18. Clearances are evaluated on a case by case basis.

Most people who admit to pot use on a security clearance likely get the clearance -at least I've served with plenty of people who have.

[PJMcK]

20. That's interesting

The background checks I've had were fairly routine involving any crimes or serious financial problems. I've never had to pass a drug test nor was I ever asked about drug use.

Why do you think marijuana use is an issue in the Biden White House? It seems like an odd issue.

Marijuana should be legalized. It would resolve many problems.

[ColinC]

24. I think following the last administration they are just trying to keep squeaky clean

As much as as possible. Marijuana use is after all technically a pretty serious federal offense. I think they are just trying to be super safe. To the extreme.

[PJMcK]

31. Agreed

Republicans will latch onto anything to use as a cudgel against a real president.

[DBoon]

44. I was thinking this too

Republicans have shown they will use the slightest personal indiscretion against a Democratic administration.

You at least want to force them to make up indiscretions out of thin air with no supporting evidence.

[Withywindle]

79. that's the truth for sure!

But Obama was pretty open about having smoked weed when he was young. It's in his book. Of course they used it against him, but it didn't really stick, did it?

(Also didn't stop them from making shit up out of thin air about him!

[Gruff B. Gus]

49. "a pretty serious federal offense"

Come on.

[ColinC]

50. Haha

I only mean as far as the potential penalties. Not that it is like, a bad thing to do. But yeah, it does sound quite silly looking at my statement twice.

[COL Mustard]

65. As Long As It's Not Recent, You're Probably OK

If you are in a tested position, and you blow hot, you have a problem.

[BumRushDaShow]

46. They have it online now (been like that for awhile)

e-QIP - https://nbib.opm.gov/e-qip-background-investigations/

I think my last clearance before I retired was done in 2010 (the system had come online a few years after 9/11 and may have been paid for out of all that funding directed towards security and the Patriot Act, etc). I don't recall anything about MJ use although it had questions about convictions/felonies, etc). They also contacted the contact people you include and then I had to have a face-to-face "interview" with an investigator (ended up being a contracted one), who asked further questions.

The system will generate an electronic SF-86 or SF-85P depending on the position.

[Ford_Prefect]

12. This has echoes of the point in time when gay friends of mine had to lie to have a job

in the Tech industry for "security" reasons.

It makes no damn sense at all. If the people in question were alcoholics or had been through recovery they wouldn't likely get the same treatment, or would they?

[Demsrule86]

21. yes they would. I saw numerous people lose their jobs due to lying about alcohol.

[stillcool]

13. new rules?

I don't think any administration since Ronald Reagan could pass that test.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki tweeted on Friday that the White House "worked with the security service to update the policies to ensure that past marijuana use wouldn't automatically disqualify staff from serving in the White House."
==========================================
"As a result, more people will serve who would not have in the past with the same level of recent drug use," she added. "The bottom line is this: of the hundreds of people hired, only five people who had started working at the White House are no longer employed as a result of this policy."
In a statement to CNN, Psaki said: "While we will not get into individual cases, there were additional factors at play in many instances for the small number of individuals who were terminated."
The White House is granting waivers on a limited basis on the requirement that employees of the Executive Office of the President qualify for Top Secret clearance in order to employed at the White House, a White House official said.
In order to be granted an exception, staffers must agree to stop using of marijuana, agree to a pledge to not use marijuana during government service, and undergo random drug tests. These employees will work remotely until their past usage meets the standards set by the Personal Security Division.
The official said this was done after a detailed review and consultation with the Personal Security Division. The official said that the administration has been working since the transition to address issues regarding occasional marijuana use in the security clearance process, which has disproportionately affected younger employees.

[Walleye]

14. My brother's friend found the right answer to this question when interviewing for a job at the CIA.

Have you ever used pot. Answer: once in the 60s and twice in the 70s in an academic setting. We’ve used that as a punchline ever since then

[Pinback]

47. "Didn't inhale."

[Walleye]

48. Also a good answer. A classic

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

76. Ok, Ok, "Didn't EXhale".

Does that count?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

74. My buddy was being interviewed for a Chicago police job.

The interviewer winked and held up three fingers.

Three is the magic number.

[Jonah Ide]

15. Were these Trump Holdovers?

Please tell me they were!

[Hugh_Lebowski]

56. They were Trump holdovers (nt)

[LiberalLovinLug]

19. The drug testing is draconian

Even if they refrain from admitting the truth, they probably would be caught in a random drug test.

So anyone wanting to work in the Whitehouse must make a commitment to not use marijuana for as long as they serve. Its not unbearable. Its doable if the job is important to you. Many athletes have to live that way.

But drug testing is an invasive, and frankly dumb way to cull your employees. A decision like a firing should be based on the qualilty of their work. If they perform well while working, that should be the goal shouldn't it? Many people, like myself, do not use during the day when working, and use it later in the day to relax. In the morning, I may have traces in my bloodstream, but I'm not high anymore.

Its on the same scale as requiring all workers to never drink a drop of liquor while employed there. Even if most are not alcoholics. And only have a glass of wine with dinner. Or a beer to watch a game. And by morning are perfectly capable of putting in a days work. Its doable. But is like an unnecessary requirement that reduces ones quality of life.

I hope Biden very quickly joins Canada in legalizing pot. I imagine there are other industries where employers use pot drug tests, and workers that would breath a sigh of relief, along with a celebratory toke.

[former9thward]

32. No, this was about past MJ use, not current.

So, no, they would not be caught in a current drug test. They probably did think about lying since the previous Democratic president was open about his past MJ use.

[questionseverything]

53. Read 13....drug testing is part of the deal

N/t

[former9thward]

57. What does past drug use have to do with current drug tests?

It does not say they are current drug users. They are being purged for past drug use. Obama would have been fired under this policy.

[questionseverything]

58. If they admit to past pot use but promise to stop they have to take tests to prove it

And because of obama’s admitted coke use he could not serve

I don’t agree with the policy, I think we will lose votes over it , i am just repeating the policy

[world wide wally]

23. So, Obama would have to resign?

[SWBTATTReg]

25. A dumb policy. Need to, once and for all, change the illegality of this very common drug. Even in

MO, which kind of shocked me, they are open/receptive to making it legal (and of course, for the money mostly, maybe a tiny bit offloading our enforcement agencies from having so much time consumed by marijuana). This is especially ironic, being that it's an open secret that huge growing operations occur in the Mark Twain forest here in MO...the forest is huge, and very isolated.

[samsingh]

27. this is not right. Biden and Harris must stop this policy immediately.

[getagrip_already]

28. wtaf? The CoS needs to be fired immediately!!!!

This crap is inexcusable. Biden was very friendly to cannabis reform during the election, so I'm laying this on the chief of staff, but it will eventually turn a lot of people off to biden if this isn't quickly reversed.

Yes, it's still a federal crime and is used during security clearance reviews. That all needs to change quickly.

Firing good people for this is stupid and ultimately counterproductive.

[AllyCat]

29. Oh for Pete's sake who CARES????

Dem, Rep, Ind, Lib...heck, even Qbert and Qreen...I really don't care if they have smoked or used marijuana.

It needs to be legal. Federally legal for any use except kids and operating a motor vehicle.

[JT45242]

33. It used to be that there were several layers to the questions about pot use

Lying on the form/questions can get you fired.

At one point the questions were worded something like (keep going until you answer no)

1. Have you ever used marajuana?
1a. Have you used it in the last 60 days?
1b. Have you used in the last 6 months?
1c. Have you used in the last 12 months?

2. Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a drug related offense?


I was told for the jobs that required passing a lie detector test for these questions, they did not care about the answer to #1, only whether or not you were truthful about it.

If the answers to 1b or 1c were yes, that was a deal killer.

I agree that it should be decriminalized, but as long as you know it is criminal at the federal level, you need to play by their rules to get and keep a federal job.

[YoshidaYui]

34. ARE THEY gonna ask Kamala Harris to Resign because she has used Weed?

I DON'T FUCKING THINK SO!

[rickyhall]

37. Still can't seem to get into the 21st century just yet.

[flibbitygiblets]

40. Fine, let them stay home, smoke pot and avoid getting murdered by insurrectionists

Fine by me.

[chowder66]

42. "....there were additional factors at play..."

snip

“In an effort to ensure that more people have an opportunity to serve the public, we worked in coordination with the security service to ensure that more people have the opportunity to serve than would not have in the past with the same level of recent drug use,” Psaki said. “While we will not get into individual cases, there were additional factors at play in many instances for the small number of individuals who were terminated.”

Hundreds of aides in the 2-month-old Biden administration have cleared the suitability review by career staffers handling security issues. The White House has said there can be multiple factors for dismissals, including hard drug use. The marijuana policy has become less stringent under the Biden administration, allowing for up to 15 past uses in a year among White House staffers.

The broader federal government has also become somewhat more lenient, with the Office of Personnel Management releasing a memo that says a person should not be deemed unfit merely because of past marijuana usage. The seriousness of the use and the nature of the position will also be factors in judging new hires.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/5-white-house-staffers-lose-jobs-over-drugs-marijuana-use/2021/03/19/45f2402e-88cf-11eb-be4a-24b89f616f2c_story.html?outputType=amp

[MichMan]

67. If they were fired for something else, why mention marijuana at all?

[chowder66]

75. Not sure.

It may be that these people did harder drugs or lied about the last time they ingested pot.

[Liberty Belle]

45. So you can use prescription opiates but not low-dose THC for pain? Outrageous.

When I had cancer removed and had staples in my scalp, cannabis gummies were the only things that kept me sane, able to sleep and work. The doctor wanted to prescribe opiates but I didn't want something addictive.

The gummies were low-dose THC, mostly CBD, and didn't make me high at all. I'm a writer and was able to provide fully coherent articles while taking these short-term.

Nobody should lose their job due to treatment for a medical condition. If they want to ban recreational use that's one thing, but there are people who truly need this.

I also have chronic neck/back pain from several disk injuries in an old accident, and this helped ease that pain, too. I still use them occasionally on bad days, ie if the chiropractor can't fit me in when needed.

This law needs to get changed by Congress, but meanwhile the White House ought to provide some discretion here.

Maybe someone needs to challenge this under ADA - it's discriminating against people who would otherwise be disabled with serious pain.

[yonder]

51. +1. Excellent points

The ADA challenge would be interesting.

[twodogsbarking]

54. How many former Presidents

smoked weed? How 'bout Joe?

[Mysterian]

55. This is fucked up and I'm disappointed

I hope President Biden fixes this!

[malthaussen]

60. Not sure if this is absurd or ridiculous...

... so I'll go with both.

-- Mal

[BobTheSubgenius]

61. Even the FBI doesn't automatically disqualify an applicant for past cannabis use.

Disclosure and a 2 year abstinence before the application and the applicant starts at ground level, along with all the other applicants.

[COL Mustard]

62. Why Not Change The Rules.

Probably about 40 years overdue, IMHO. If you tell the truth about teenage drug experimentation, you can't serve your country. But if you don't tell the truth, you can. It's crazy and the rules make criminals out of otherwise honest people that we should want in the military, and in civil service, and in important positions in the White House.

[Tree Lady]

70. We have to be honest here Joe

Isn't going to help us with this. He won't fight the states but he is not going to change the federal rules or will stall as long as he can.

Because of his sons drug issues I think he still believes that pot starts it. He reminds me of the arguments I use to have with my father as a teen back in the 70's and no amount decades later of showing how it medically helps people changed his mind.

I believe he will help as far as decriminalizing it to help African Americans but he is not going to weaken the rules we want unless he is pushed into it. We would have to actually be bipartisan and override a veto to do it. Its one issue both sides agree on but whether republicans would do it just to piss Joe off we will see.

[madville]

69. They probably had additional hard drug use

Mushrooms, acid, prescription meds that weren’t theirs, a little coke at a party, who knows. Seriously doubt it was marijuana only unless very recent or still currently using.

We were joking with our recruiting folks the other day, they have a hard time getting entry level young folks because they don’t want to give up smoking weed.

[Locrian]

77. idiotic

just about all past (recent) PRESIDENTS have admitted to smoking weed.
It's f-ing LEAGLE in DC - yeah, I know... federal laws.

Unless this is some strategic thing to push the discussion - it's idiotic

[spike jones]

78. I had worked with a guy for several years in two offices and when he opened his own office,

I applied for a position. We knew each other well, and in the interview, I told him that I would never be able to pass a drug test. He said that if I passed one it would be all right, but if I passed two, I would be fired because he knew I was not giving my best toward the job. He was my boss until I retired.

[Sparky 1]

80. That's pure idiocy. The lesson the government is teaching is . . .

Always lie to the government.