- The DEA has recently updated its career application questionnaire to gain information on applicants’ use of hemp prior to its national legalization.
- The previous version of the questionnaire asked about marijuana use, both medically and recreationally, and made no mention of hemp.
- Despite the DEA’s recent flexibility with marijuana use among its employees, admission to using hemp pre-legalization will result in the applicant being deemed ineligible for hire.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has updated their questionnaire this month that is used for those interested in working for the agency. Job applicants now must answer questions about whether or not they used hemp before it was made legal on December 20th, 2018.
Previously, the only past cannabis use that the DEA was interested in knowing about was marijuana. This includes both recreationally and medically. However, the DEA questionnaire now asks potential employees to “Please include any Hemp or Cannabidiol (CBD) use, if used before 12/20/2018.”
“The application of DEA’s drug use policy guidelines, in conjunction with a case-by-case analysis, will determine if an applicant’s prior drug usage or activity will result in the applicant’s non-selection for employment with the DEA,” the questionnaire reads.
The DEA has been flexible over the past couple of years and allows some leniency toward marijuna use by its employees and contractors. However, admitting to using hemp before December 2018 would be counted as illicit drug use within 10 years of the application submission, rendering the applicant ineligible for hire.
The newly-updated questionnaire also features a new section about prior prescription drug use for substances that were never actually prescribed to the applicant.
On a different note, the FBI stated last year that internal policies may change and allow for the use of CBD products by its agents and employees.
