Summary
The applicant, a 31-year-old male with prior military service, sought a security clearance under Guideline H due to concerns regarding his extensive history of marijuana use spanning 14 years, including use after being granted a security clearance. The judge found that the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of rehabilitation or intent to abstain from drug use, leading to the denial of his clearance application.
Under Guideline H (Drug Involvement), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant admitted to using marijuana for 14 years, including after being granted a security clearance in August 2004 (1.a). Applicant's marijuana use began at age 15 and continued until age 29, with a recent use in December 2013 (1.b).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions H.25(a), H.25(g). The judge applied mitigating conditions H.26(a), H.26(b). The decision turned on the following: The applicant admitted to a 14-year history of marijuana use, including use after being granted a security clearance; The applicant's statements of intent to abstain from drug use were deemed unconvincing given his past conduct and lack of corroborating evidence of rehabilitation; The applicant did not submit sufficient information to mitigate the security concerns raised by his drug involvement.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant admitted to a 14-year history of marijuana use, including use after being granted a security clearance.
- The applicant's statements of intent to abstain from drug use were deemed unconvincing given his past conduct and lack of corroborating evidence of rehabilitation.
- The applicant did not submit sufficient information to mitigate the security concerns raised by his drug involvement.
Conditions referenced
- H.25(a)raisedAny Drug Abuse
- H.25(g)raisedAny Illegal Drug Use After Being Granted a Security Clearance
- H.26(a)rejectedThe 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 JudgmentThe applicant's drug use was extensive and recent enough to raise ongoing concerns.
- H.26(b)rejectedA Demonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Any Drugs in the FutureThe applicant's claims of intent to abstain were not supported by sufficient evidence.
Key rule quoted
“"No one has a ‘right’ to a security clearance."”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedMar 5, 2015
- Answer filedApr 14, 2015Applicant elected to proceed without a hearing.
- Decision dateFeb 19, 2016
Cite for
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Extensive Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation or Intent to Abstain From Drug Use
- Importance of Corroborating Evidence in Mitigating Security Concerns