Summary
A 33-year-old employee of a DOD contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant admitted to purchasing and using marijuana with varying frequency from approximately 2019 to April 2024, and psilocybin in July 2023, both while holding a sensitive position and a security clearance.
Further issues arose from the applicant's security clearance application, executed on December 13, 2023. Allegations included falsifying material facts and minimizing the extent of his illegal drug use on this e-QIP application. An amended allegation also cited falsification of material facts during an interview.
Despite some evidence of rehabilitation, the judge found that the applicant's actions, specifically the admitted drug use over a four-year period in a sensitive position and the falsification of information on his application, raised significant concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to using marijuana and psilocybin while holding a security clearance.
- The applicant falsified information on his security clearance application regarding his drug use.
- The applicant's drug use occurred over a four-year period while employed in a sensitive position.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)appliedAny Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)appliedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
- AG ¶ 25(f)appliedIllegal Drug Use While Granted Access to Classified Information
- AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(b)appliedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- AG ¶ 16(e)appliedPersonal Conduct Creating Vulnerability to Exploitation
- AG ¶ 26(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Drug Involvement and Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome the Problem
- AG ¶ 17(d)appliedAcknowledgment of Behavior and Obtaining Counseling
- AG ¶ 17(e)appliedPositive Steps to Reduce Vulnerability to Exploitation
Key Rule Quoted
“"the clearly consistent standard indicates that security determinations should err, if they must, on the side of denials."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedDec 23, 2024
- Answer filedMar 17, 2025
- Hearing heldDec 18, 2025originally scheduled for October 16, 2025, but continued due to federal government shutdown
- Decision dateFeb 20, 2026
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
- Falsification of Information on Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Consideration of Rehabilitation Efforts in Security Clearance Decisions.