Summary
A 47-year-old defense contractor employee was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant admitted to intermittent marijuana use from approximately 1973 until early 2002, citing social reasons and stomach ulcer relief.
A key issue was the applicant's false statement on his security clearance application, where he reported his last marijuana use as 1999 instead of early 2002. This misrepresentation was deemed a material false statement, indicating a lack of candor and raising personal conduct concerns.
The judge determined that the applicant failed to mitigate the security risks associated with his long-term drug use and the false statement. The applicant's inconsistent history of attempting to quit marijuana also undermined his claims of future abstinence. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant's long-term and intermittent marijuana use raised significant security concerns.
- Applicant's false statement regarding the date of his last drug use was material and indicative of a lack of candor.
- The applicant's inconsistent history of quitting marijuana undermined claims of future abstinence.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A8.1.2.1raisedAny Drug Abuse
- E2.A8.1.2.2raisedAny Drug Possession, Including Purchase
- E2.A5.1.2.2raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant and Material Facts
- E2.A8.1.3.1rejectedDrug Abuse Not RecentThe applicant's drug use continued until less than a year before applying for a security clearance.
- E2.A8.1.3.2rejectedDrug Involvement Was an Isolated or Aberrational EventThe applicant's marijuana use was a regular part of his life for many years.
- E2.A5.1.3.1rejectedInformation Not Pertinent to Judgment, Trustworthiness, or ReliabilityThe recency of the applicant's marijuana use was pertinent to his trustworthiness.
- E2.A5.1.3.2rejectedSubsequently Provided Correct Information VoluntarilyThe applicant did not attempt to correct the false statement before being confronted.
- E2.A5.1.3.5appliedPositive Steps to Reduce Vulnerability to CoercionThe applicant admitted his drug abuse and stopped associating with friends who use marijuana.
Key Rule Quoted
“"The adjudicative process is an examination of a sufficient period of a person's life to make an affirmative determination that the person is eligible for a security clearance."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 9, 2004
- Answer filedJul 1, 2004
- Hearing held—Decided on written record.
- Decision dateSep 27, 2004
Cite For
- Disqualifying Conditions Under Guideline H for Drug Involvement
- Disqualifying Conditions Under Guideline E for Personal Conduct
- Lack of Candor in Security Clearance Applications