This past summer, the FBI changed the application qualifications for potential agents. Previously, applicants could not have consumed cannabis for 10 years prior to their application submission. It’s been updated to only one year limit to prior cannabis consumption. 

Additionally, candidates who consumed cannabis prior to their 18th birthday will not be automatically disqualified. Instead, the FBI will evaluate the individual using the “whole-person concept.”

Advocates cheered at this change from the FBI. This marked a significant change in attitude towards cannabis in federal agencies. Other agencies, like the Air Force, have banned the consumption of cannabis, hemp, and CBD products. 

Unexpected Change

However, sometime in the past month, the FBI updated their application qualifications again. This time, a new restriction became placed on applicants who had consumed cannabis multiple times previously. The new restriction reads: 

“Candidates that have used marijuana or any of its various forms (e.g., cannabis, hashish (hash), hash oil, or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), synthetic or natural), in any location (domestic or foreign) regardless of the legality in that location of use, more than twenty-four (24) times after turning 18 years old is a disqualifier for FBI employment.”

Any potential agent, who has consumed any form of cannabis or THC more than 24 times is now disqualified from applying. It’s unclear how the FBI plans to track this number and see if applicants are being truthful. 

The application page goes on to say, “The FBI is firmly committed to a drug-free society and workplace. The FBI balances the needs of the organization and the importance of keeping the public integrity necessary to accomplish its law enforcement and intelligence missions by hiring the most qualified candidates.”

Potential Change

While this new restriction may seem arbitrary, it is still a step forward, activists say. They point to former FBI Director James Comey, who suggested in 2014 to loosen the employment policies concerning cannabis. “I have to hire a great work force to compete with those cyber criminals and some of those kids want to smoke weed on the way to the interview,” the director had said. It appears the FBI is making changes to follow through with the thoughts of their previous director, even if there are bumps in the road along the way. If the FBI makes any more changes surrounding cannabis on their application, we will update you with the latest.

Make sure to check back for more cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic related news.