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ISCR Case 20-02453 — CASE

ISCR Case 20-02453denied

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 20-02453

deniedJul 8, 2021· Hon. Darlene Lokey Anderson· hearing

Summary

A 35-year-old defense contractor and Navy veteran was denied a security clearance under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) due to admitted marijuana (THC) use from June 2016 to May 2020. The applicant's use of a controlled substance, which can impair judgment and raise questions about reliability, was a primary concern. While the applicant denied using THC while holding classified access or during his Navy service, his admitted use after applying for a security clearance was a significant factor.

The administrative judge found that the applicant's actions demonstrated a disregard for federal law and Department of Defense policy concerning drug use. Specifically, the applicant admitted to four years of THC use, including after applying for the clearance, and did not disclose this use to his employer. Furthermore, he lacked a medical prescription for THC.

Ultimately, the security clearance was denied because the applicant failed to mitigate the concerns regarding his reliability and trustworthiness, which were significantly impacted by his admitted and undisclosed drug use.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant admitted to using THC for four years, including after applying for a security clearance.
The applicant did not disclose his drug use to his employer and lacked a medical prescription for THC.
The applicant's conduct demonstrated a disregard for federal law and DoD policy regarding drug use.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 24raisedDrug Involvement and Substance Misuse
AG ¶ 25(a)raisedSubstance Misuse
AG ¶ 25(c)raisedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
AG ¶ 25(f)raisedIllegal Drug Use While Granted Access to Classified Information

Key Rule Quoted

“The illegal use of controlled substances...can raise questions about an individual's reliability and trustworthiness.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedDec 30, 2020
Answer filedMar 24, 2021Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
Hearing held—Decision made on the written record.
Decision dateJul 8, 2021

Cite For

Denial of Security Clearance Due to Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
Failure to Mitigate Drug Use Concerns
Impact of Illegal Drug Use on Reliability and Trustworthiness

Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.

Standardized Decision Profile

SEAD-4 Guideline H (Drug Involvement) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: Decision on RecordDecided: denied

The judge found that the Applicant used THC (marijuana) off and on from June 2016 to at least May 2020, which raised concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness. The judge ruled against the Applicant on the allegations of drug involvement, concluding that he failed to mitigate the associated security concerns, resulting in a denial of his security clearance.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Substance / event	Use level	Response	Disqualifying (¶25)	Mitigating applied (¶26)	Mitigation
1.a	The Government alleges that the Applicant has used controlled substances that cause physical or mental impairment or are used in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose, which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness.	Against Applicant	MarijuanaWHILE CLEARED	Frequent	Admitted	—	—	Claimed Other
1.c	He denies using THC while granted access to classified information and while in the Navy.	For Applicant	Unspecified Drug Involvement	Unspecified	Denied	—	—	—

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case (Guideline H). The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Full decision

The complete, official text — footnotes and signatures included — is in the original PDF.

Decision text, by section

DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS

HEARING

APPEARANCES

______________ ______________ DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS In the matter of: ) ) ) ISCR Case No. 20-02453 ) ) Applicant for Security Clearance ) Appearances For Government: Jeff A. Nagel, Department Counsel For Applicant: Pro se July 8, 2021

STATEMENT OF CASE

Lokey Anderson, Darlene D., Administrative Judge: On January 13, 2020, Applicant submitted a security clearance application (e- QIP). (Item 2.) On December 30, 2020, the Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF) issued Applicant a Statement of Reasons (SOR), detailing security concerns under Guideline H, Drug Involvement and Substance Abuse. The action was taken under Executive Order (EO) 10865, Safeguarding Classified Information within Industry (February 20, 1960), as amended; DoD Directive 5220.6, Defense Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Review Program (January 2, 1992), as amended (Directive); and the Adjudicative Guidelines, effective within the DoD after June 8, 2017. Applicant answered the SOR on March 24, 2021. He requested that his case be decided by an administrative judge on the written record without a hearing. (Item 1.) On April 13, 2021, Department Counsel submitted the Government’s written case. A complete copy of the File of Relevant Material (FORM), containing three exhibits, was sent to the Applicant and received on April 22, 2021. The FORM notified Applicant that he had an opportunity to file objections and submit material in refutation, extenuation, or mitigation within 30 days of his receipt of the FORM. Applicant failed to respond to the

FORM. DOHA assigned the case to me on June 29, 2021. Items 1 through 3 are admitted into evidence and hereinafter referred to as Government Exhibits 1 through 3.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Applicant is 35 years old. He has a Bachelor’s degree. He is employed by a defense contractor as a Part-Time, On-Call Employee. He is seeking to obtain a security clearance in connection with his employment. Applicant served in the United States Navy from February 2007 to October 2015, when he was honorably discharged.

Guideline H - Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse

The Government alleges that the Applicant has used controlled substances that cause physical or mental impairment or are used in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose, which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness.

Applicant admits two of the three allegations set forth under this guideline. He admits that he has used Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, also known as marijuana) off and on from approximately June 2016 to at least May 2020. He also admitted to purchasing THC during that same period. He denies using THC while granted access to classified information and while in the Navy. Applicant states that the last time he had access to classified information was when he separated from the Navy in October 2015.

Applicant explained that he has used THC to treat his migraine headaches. He has used it one to three times monthly from June 2016 through at least May 2020. He normally purchased a quarter of an ounce every six months from a friend to supply his use. Applicant understands that THC is illegal under Federal law. He does not have a medical prescription for the use of this illegal drug. He states that he believes a prescription is difficult to acquire, and he does not know if he would qualify for a prescription for its medical use.

Applicant began working for his current employer in December 2019. He has never disclosed his use of THC to his employers. Applicant states that he is not subject to random drug tests or regular drug screening of any sort and so he has never tested positive. He does not use THC while at work, and only uses it at home for his migraine headaches. If he gets a migraine at work, he leaves work and goes home. During his security clearance background interview with the investigator, Applicant did not want to identify the individual who supplies Applicant’s THC for the protection of his friend. (Government Exhibit 3.) Applicant states that if his employer wants him to stop using TCH he will do so.

POLICIES

When evaluating an applicant’s suitability for a security clearance, the administrative judge must consider the adjudicative guidelines (AG). In addition to brief introductory explanations for each guideline, the adjudicative guidelines list potentially disqualifying conditions and mitigating conditions, which are to be used in evaluating an applicant’s eligibility for access to classified information.

These guidelines are not inflexible rules of law. Instead, recognizing the complexities of human behavior, administrative judges apply the guidelines in conjunction with the factors listed in AG ¶ 2 describing the adjudicative process. The administrative judge’s overarching adjudicative goal is a fair, impartial, and commonsense decision. According to AG ¶ 2(a), the entire process is a conscientious scrutiny of a number of variables known as the whole-person concept. The administrative judge must consider all available, reliable information about the person, past and present, favorable and unfavorable, in making a decision.

The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration. AG ¶ 2(b) requires that “[a]ny doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.” In reaching this decision, I have drawn only those conclusions that are reasonable, logical, and based on the evidence contained in the record.

Directive ¶ E3.1.14, requires the Government to present evidence that establishes controverted facts alleged in the SOR. Under Directive ¶ E3.1.15, the “applicant is responsible for presenting witnesses and other evidence to rebut, explain, extenuate, or mitigate facts admitted by the applicant or proven by Department Counsel, and has the ultimate burden of persuasion as to obtaining a favorable clearance decision.”

A person who applies for access to classified information seeks to enter into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence. This relationship transcends normal duty hours and endures throughout off-duty hours. The Government reposes a high degree of trust and confidence in individuals to whom it grants access to classified information. Decisions include, by necessity, consideration of the possible risk the applicant may deliberately or inadvertently fail to protect or safeguard classified information. Such decisions entail a certain degree of legally permissible extrapolation as to potential, rather than actual, risk of compromise of classified information.

Section 7 of EO 10865 provides that adverse decisions shall be “in terms of the national interest and shall in no sense be a determination as to the loyalty of the applicant concerned.” See also EO 12968, Section 3.1(b) (listing multiple prerequisites for access to classified or sensitive information).

ANALYSIS

Guideline H - Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse

The security concern relating to the guideline for Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse is set forth at AG ¶ 24:

The illegal use of controlled substances, to include the misuse of prescription and non-prescription drugs, and the use of other substances that cause physical or mental impairment or are used in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose can raise questions about an individual's reliability and trustworthiness, both because such behavior may lead to physical or psychological impairment and because it raises questions about a person's ability or willingness to comply with laws, rules, and regulations. Controlled substance means any "controlled substance" as defined in 21 U.S.C. 802. Substance misuse is the generic term adopted in this guideline to describe any of the behaviors listed above.

The guideline at AG ¶ 25 contains three conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying:

(a) any substance misuse (see above definition);

(c) illegal possession of a controlled substance, including cultivation, processing, manufacture, purchase, sale, or distribution; or possession of drug paraphernalia; and

(f) any illegal drug use while granted access to classified information or holding a sensitive position.

The guideline at AG ¶ 26 contains conditions that could mitigate security concerns. None of the conditions are applicable:

(a) the behavior happened so long ago, was so infrequent, or happened under such circumstances that it is unlikely to recur or does not cast doubt on the individual's current reliability, trustworthiness, or good judgment; and

(b) the individual acknowledges his or her drug involvement and substance misuse, provides evidence of actions taken to overcome this problem, and has established a pattern of abstinence, including, but not limited to:

(1) disassociation from drug-using associates and contacts;

(2) changing or avoiding the environment where drugs were used; and

(3) providing a signed statement of intent to abstain from all drug involvement and substance misuse, acknowledging that any future involvement or misuse is grounds for revocation of national security eligibility.

None of the mitigating factors are applicable. Applicant has used THC, for a four year period, from 2016 to at least May 2020. He used it before being hired by a defense contractor, after being hired by a defense contractor, and even after applying for a security clearance, disregarding DoD policy and Federal law. Applicant should know that the use of THC, also known as marijuana, is against Federal law and prohibited by the Defense Department in any form or fashion. Applicant is a Navy veteran, who held a previous security clearance and is expected to show a high level of maturity, trustworthiness and good judgment. In this case, Applicant has fallen short of meeting these eligibility requirements. In fact, Applicant does not meet the requirements for eligibility to access classified information.

Considered in totality, Applicant’s conduct precludes a finding of good judgment, reliability, and/or the ability to abide by rules and regulations. To be entrusted with the privilege of holding a security clearance, applicants are expected to abide by all laws, regulations and policies that apply to them. Applicant has chosen to live his life to his convenience, and has disregarded the law. Knowing that the use of THC is illegal, Applicant has disregarded the law and used it anyway. Furthermore, if he is using it solely for his migraines, he has made no attempt to obtain a medical prescription. Under the particular facts of this case, Applicant does not show the requisite character or judgment of someone who has the maturity, integrity, good judgment, and reliability necessary to access classified information. At this time, Applicant does not meet the qualifications for access to classified information.

WHOLE PERSON CONCEPT

Under the whole-person concept, the administrative judge must evaluate an applicant’s eligibility for a security clearance by considering the totality of the applicant’s conduct and all relevant circumstances. The administrative judge should consider the nine adjudicative process factors listed at AG ¶ 2(d):

(1) the nature, extent, and seriousness of the conduct; (2) the circumstances surrounding the conduct, to include knowledgeable participation; (3) the frequency and recency of the conduct; (4) the individual’s age and maturity at the time of the conduct; (5) the extent to which participation is voluntary; (6) the presence or absence of rehabilitation and other permanent behavioral changes; (7) the motivation for the conduct; (8) the potential for pressure, coercion, exploitation, or duress; and (9) the likelihood of continuation or recurrence.

Under AG ¶ 2(c), the ultimate determination of whether to grant eligibility for a security clearance must be an overall commonsense judgment based upon careful consideration of the guidelines and the whole-person concept.

I considered the potentially disqualifying and mitigating conditions in light of all facts and circumstances surrounding this case. I have incorporated my comments under Guideline H in my whole-person analysis. An individual who holds a security clearance is expected to comply with the law at all times. Applicant has not demonstrated the level of maturity needed for access to classified information. This is not an individual in whom the Government can be confident to know that he will always follow rules and regulations and do the right thing, even when no one is looking. In this case, Applicant is not subject to random drug tests and so no one knows when he has THC in his system. This is dangerous and unacceptable. Applicant is not qualified for access to classified information, and does not meet the qualifications for a security clearance.

Overall, the record evidence leaves me with many questions and doubts as to Applicant’s eligibility and suitability for a security clearance. For all these reasons, I conclude Applicant failed to mitigate the Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse security concerns.

FORMAL FINDINGS

Formal findings for or against Applicant on the allegations set forth in the SOR, as required by ¶ E3.1.25 of the Directive, are:

Paragraph 1, Guideline H:

AGAINST APPLICANT

Subparagraph 1.a through 1.b.

Against Applicant

Subparagraph 1.c.

For Applicant

CONCLUSION

In light of all of the circumstances presented by the record in this case, it is not clearly consistent with the national interest to grant Applicant national security eligibility for a security clearance. Eligibility for access to classified information is denied.

Darlene Lokey Anderson Administrative Judge