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ISCR Case 23-00953 — CASE

ISCR Case 23-00953denied

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 23-00953

deniedMar 20, 2024· Hon. Eric H. Borgstrom· hearing

Summary

A 43-year-old hydraulic mechanic was denied a security clearance under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) due to his admitted marijuana use. The applicant possessed a state-issued medical marijuana card and stated his use was for medicinal purposes.

The Statement of Reasons cited the applicant's drug involvement and substance misuse, specifically noting his expressed intent to continue this involvement. Disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guideline Paragraphs 25(a) and 25(g) were raised.

The denial was based on the applicant's admission of marijuana use, which remains illegal under federal law, and his stated intent to continue using it despite this federal prohibition. The applicant failed to demonstrate a commitment to discontinue drug use or mitigate the associated security concerns.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant admitted to using marijuana, which is illegal under federal law.
He expressed intent to continue using marijuana despite knowing it violated federal law.
The applicant did not demonstrate a commitment to discontinue drug use or mitigate the security concerns.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 25(a)raisedAny Substance Misuse
AG ¶ 25(g)raisedExpressed Intent to Continue Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse

Key Rule Quoted

“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
— Directive, Enclosure 2 ¶ 2(b).

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedJul 20, 2023
Answer filedJul 28, 2023
Hearing held—Decision based on written record.
Decision dateMar 20, 2024

Cite For

Denial of Security Clearance Due to Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
Impact of Federal Law on State-sanctioned Drug Use
Importance of Intent to Discontinue Drug Use in Security Clearance Evaluations

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's drug involvement and substance misuse raised significant security concerns. The applicant admitted to using marijuana regularly from August 2018 until December 2022 and expressed an intent to continue this use, which violated federal drug laws. Consequently, the application for a security clearance was denied.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Substance / event	Use level	Response	Disqualifying (¶25)	Mitigating applied (¶26)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant's drug involvement and substance misuse security concerns.	Against Applicant	Marijuana	Regular	Admitted	(a) any substance misuse (g) expressed intent to continue, or failure to commit to discontinue	—	Claimed Other
1.b	Applicant's expressed intent to continue drug involvement and substance misuse.	Against Applicant	Stated Intent to Use Again	Not Applicable	Admitted	(a) any substance misuse (g) expressed intent to continue, or failure to commit to discontinue	—	Claimed Other

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

l:\E Ci r.. 0 --~ ~ r:i; 1,1 :i,. 'tr ______________ ______________ DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS In the matter of: ) ) ) ISCR Case No. 23-00953 ) Applicant for Security Clearance ) Appearances For Government: Erin P. Thompson, Esq., Department Counsel For Applicant: Pro se 03/20/2024

STATEMENT OF CASE

BORGSTROM, Eric H., Administrative Judge: Applicant did not mitigate the drug involvement and substance misuse security concerns. Eligibility for access to classified information is denied. Statement of the Case On July 20, 2023, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Consolidated Adjudication Services (CAS) issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) to Applicant detailing security concerns under Guideline H (drug involvement and substance misuse). The CAS acted under Executive Order (EO) 10865, Safeguarding Classified Information within Industry (February 20, 1960), as amended; Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 5220.6, Defense Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Review Program (January 2, 1992), as amended (Directive); and the adjudicative guidelines implemented by the DOD on June 8, 2017. In Applicant’s July 28, 2023 response to the SOR (Answer), he admitted both allegations, with explanations. He attached a copy of his state-issued medical marijuana card. He requested a decision by a Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) administrative judge based upon the written record in lieu of a hearing. (Answer)

On November 28, 2023, Department Counsel submitted a file of relevant material (FORM) and provided a complete copy to Applicant. Department Counsel’s FORM includes Government Exhibits (GE) 1 through 4. In the FORM, Department Counsel provided Applicant notice that failure to respond to the FORM may be considered a waiver of any objections to the admissibility of GE 1 through 4. On December 7, 2023, Applicant received the FORM and its attachments. He did not submit a response to the FORM within 30 days of receipt nor raise any objections to the admissibility of any of the FORM exhibits. This case was assigned to me on March 8, 2024. GE 1 through 4 are admitted without objection.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Applicant is 43 years old. He graduated from high school in 1998. He has three children, ages 18, 13, and 10. Since August 2020, he has been employed as a hydraulic mechanic for a private company. His employment with the sponsoring DOD contractor is contingent upon his clearance eligibility. (GE 3) On August 15, 2022, Applicant completed and certified an Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP). Under Section 23 – Illegal Use of Drugs or Drug Activity, he reported that he had used marijuana from August 2018 to August 2022. He explained that he had a valid state-issued medical marijuana card and that he used marijuana as prescribed. At the time he completed the e-QIP, he responded that he did not intend to use marijuana in the future. (GE 3) On December 12, 2022, Applicant was interviewed by an authorized investigator on behalf of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). He confirmed his marijuana use as reported in his e-QIP and stated that he had used marijuana every night before going to bed from August 2018 to the December 2022. He purchased marijuana from a state- licensed dispensary in his state of residence. He explained that he obtained a medical marijuana card due to injuries sustained in a 2015 motorcycle accident. Prior to the interview, he had been unaware that marijuana use was illegal under Federal law. Even after learning that marijuana use was prohibited by Federal law, Applicant noted that he believed his medicinal marijuana use should not be considered illegal. He added that he would likely continue to use marijuana in the future and had no plans to change his current use of marijuana for pain management. (GE 4) In his July 28, 2023 Answer, Applicant admitted his marijuana use as delineated in the SOR. He stated, “I do not believe this is the same as the above described ‘illegal use of controlled substances, to include the misuse of prescription and non-prescrintion [sic] drugs.” He characterized his marijuana use as for medicinal use and in compliance with state laws. He did not express any intent to discontinue his marijuana use. (Answer)

POLICIES

When evaluating an applicant’s suitability for a security clearance, the administrative judge must consider the adjudicative guidelines. 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 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.” Under Directive ¶ E3.1.14, the Government must present evidence to establish 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.” The applicant has the ultimate burden of persuasion to obtain a favorable security decision. A person who seeks access to classified information enters 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 sensitive information. Decisions include, by necessity, consideration of the possible risk the applicant may deliberately or inadvertently fail to safeguard sensitive information. Such decisions entail a certain degree of legally permissible extrapolation of potential, rather than actual, risk of compromise of sensitive 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 for drug involvement is set out in 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 notes several conditions that could raise security concerns under AG ¶ 25. The following are potentially applicable in this case: (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 (g) expressed intent to continue drug involvement and substance misuse, or failure to clearly and convincingly commit to discontinue such misuse. Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance under Federal law pursuant to Title 21, Section 812 of the United States Code. Schedule I drugs are those which have a high potential for abuse; have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and lack accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. Section 844 under Title 21 of the United States Code makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally possess a controlled substance not obtained pursuant to a valid prescription. On October 25, 2014, the then Director of National Intelligence (DNI) issued guidance that changes to laws by some states and the District of Columbia to legalize or decriminalize the recreational use of marijuana do not alter existing federal law or the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines, and that an individual’s disregard of federal law pertaining to the use, sale, or manufacture of marijuana remains adjudicatively relevant in national security eligibility determinations. Moreover, on December 21, 2021, the current DNI issued clarifying guidance concerning marijuana, noting that prior recreational use of marijuana by an individual may be relevant to security adjudications, but is not determinative in the whole-person evaluation. Relevant factors in mitigation include the frequency of use and whether the individual can demonstrate that future use is unlikely to recur.

Applicant’s use of marijuana from August 2018 until at least December 2022 violated Federal drug laws. He has expressed his intent to continue to use marijuana. AG ¶¶ 25(a) and 25(g) apply. The SOR did not allege Applicant’s illegal possession or purchase of marijuana. Therefore, AG ¶ 25(c) does not apply. Conditions that could mitigate the drug involvement security concerns are provided under AG ¶ 26. The following are potentially 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. Applicant bears the burden of production and persuasion in mitigation. The DOHA Appeal Board concisely explained Applicant’s responsibility for proving the applicability of mitigating conditions as follows: Once a concern arises regarding an Applicant’s security clearance eligibility, there is a strong presumption against the grant or maintenance of a security clearance. See Dorfmont v. Brown, 913 F. 2d 1399, 1401 (9th Cir. 1990), cert. denied, 499 U.S. 905 (1991). After the Government presents evidence raising security concerns, the burden shifts to the applicant to rebut or mitigate those concerns. See Directive ¶ E3.1.15. The standard applicable in security clearance decisions is that articulated in [Department of the Navy v. Egan, 484 U.S. 518, 528 (1988)], supra. “Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of the national security.” Directive, Enclosure 2 ¶ 2(b). (ISCR Case No. 10-04641 at 4 (App. Bd. Sep. 24, 2013)) Applicant obtained a state-issued medical marijuana card and used marijuana for pain management following a motorcycle injury. While his marijuana use may comply with state drug laws, it violates Federal drug laws and DOD policies for contractors and clearance holders. There is no waiver or exception for medicinal marijuana use. During

his December 2022 OPM interview, Applicant stated that he was unaware that his medicinal marijuana use violated Federal drug laws. His ignorance or uncertainty about whether marijuana was prohibited under Federal law does not excuse his conduct. See ISCR Case No. 19-00540 at 3 (App. Bd. Dec. 13, 2019)(citing Rhode Island v. Massachusetts, 45 U.S. 591, 613 (1846)). More importantly, even after he was made aware of the Federal drug laws, he has chosen to continue his marijuana use in knowing violation of those laws. He has not expressed any intent to discontinue his marijuana use going forward. Applicant has not mitigated the drug involvement and substance misuse security concerns.

WHOLE PERSON CONCEPT

Under the whole-person concept, the administrative judge must evaluate an applicant’s eligibility for a position of trust 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 position of trust 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 the facts and circumstances surrounding this case. I have incorporated my comments under Guideline H and the factors in AG ¶ 2(d) in this whole-person analysis. Applicant’s candor does not overcome the concerns raised by his repeated violation of Federal drug laws and his expressed intent to continue to violate those laws. He did not 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 section E3.1.25 of Enclosure 3 of the Directive, are: Paragraph 1, Guideline H: AGAINST APPLICANT Subparagraphs 1.a.-1.b.: Against Applicant

CONCLUSION

In light of all of the circumstances presented by the record in this case, I conclude that it is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security to grant Applicant eligibility for a security clearance. Eligibility for access to classified information is denied. Eric H. Borgstrom Eric H. Borgstrom Administrative Judge