Senate Committee Passes Legislation Enabling Past Cannabis Users To Work At Intel Agencies Like CIA & NSA

The Senate Intelligence Committee unanimously passed the Intelligence Authorization Act, ensuring that intelligence agencies cannot deny security clearances to applicants based solely on their past use of marijuana, reported Marijuana Moment.

This provision, part of a broader reform effort, was put forward by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), who stressed that this change will allow intelligence agencies to recruit the most competent individuals, irrespective of their prior cannabis use.

“The bill also includes my provision to ensure that cannabis use will not disqualify intelligence community applicants from serving their country. It’s a commonsense change to ensure the IC can recruit the most capable people possible," Wyden said in Thursday a statement.

A wider amendment was proposed by Wyden in June 2022 aimed at preventing employment discrimination due to past or current marijuana use across all federal departments. However, the amendment was reduced in scope by the committee's chairman and was ultimately suppressed when two Republican senators objected to the language relating to marijuana being included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Now, this modified provision seems to reflect last year's narrow amendment, signaling a progressive stance within the Senate committee. Mark Warner (D-VA), committee chair, noted that the bill enhances endeavors to reform the security clearance process and allows the intelligence community to promptly recruit a diverse, skilled workforce to tackle emerging challenges.

Marijuana Moment noted that Wyden had discussed the issue with the director of National Intelligence (DNI), Avril Haines. “We recognize, frankly, that many states have legalized or decriminalized marijuana use and wanted to be sure that we’re not disqualifying people solely for that purpose in that context.” She further stated that cannabis use in a legal state should not be the sole disqualifying factor, emphasizing a holistic approach to candidate assessment.

If passed, this legislation could significantly impact cybersecurity recruitment as many talented individuals have previously been rejected due to their cannabis use. The bill now awaits introduction to the House Intelligence Committee and approval on the Senate floor.

Past Progress

In July 2021, the FBI updated its hiring policies to consider candidates who had not consumed marijuana for over one full year prior to their application date. Previously the agency had demanded that candidates not consume cannabis for at least three years prior to applying.

See Marijuana Moment's full coverage.