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ISCR Case 25-00986 · CASE

ISCR Case 25-00986denied

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 25-00986

deniedApr 29, 2026· Hon. Richard A. Cefola· hearing

Synopsis

The applicant, a 27-year-old defense contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline H due to his extensive marijuana use, which he admitted occurred regularly from 2015 until September 2025. Despite submitting negative drug test results and withdrawing his intent to use marijuana in the future, the judge found that the applicant failed to mitigate the concerns due to his recent usage and ongoing associations with drug users. The application for security clearance was denied.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

Applicant admitted to using marijuana regularly for approximately ten years, with his last use occurring shortly after the SOR was issued.
Applicant confirmed an intent to use marijuana in the future when responding to the SOR, which he later withdrew but did not provide a signed statement of intent to abstain from future use.
Applicant continues to associate with individuals who use marijuana, including his wife and brother-in-law, who supplied him with marijuana.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

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

Mitigating

AG ¶ 26(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Happened Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurApplicant's extensive marijuana usage ended only about six months ago.
AG ¶ 26(b)rejectedAcknowledges Drug Involvement and Provides Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome the ProblemApplicant has not established a pattern of abstinence or disassociated from drug-using associates.

Key Rule Quoted

“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedAug 27, 2025
Answer filedSep 10, 2025
Hearing heldMar 5, 2026
Decision dateApr 29, 2026

Cite For

Denial of Security Clearance Due to Recent Drug Use Under Guideline H
Failure to Mitigate Security Concerns Related to Ongoing Associations with Drug Users
Importance of Demonstrating a Commitment to Abstain From Substance Misuse for Security Clearance Eligibility.

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 against the applicant on allegations of drug involvement and substance misuse, specifically regarding marijuana use. The applicant admitted to using marijuana approximately 500-600 times over a decade, with the last use occurring shortly before the hearing. The applicant also expressed an intent to continue using marijuana, which contributed to the denial of security clearance.

1.a Applicant admits that he used marijuana, once or twice a week, from about 2015 until his last usage on September 10, 2025.
Finding: Against Applicant
Substance / event: Marijuana
Use level: Regular
Response: Admitted
Disqualifying (¶25):
(a) any substance misuse
(g) expressed intent to continue, or failure to commit to discontinue
Mitigating applied (¶26): —
Mitigation: —
1.b Applicant confirmed an intent to use marijuana in the future.
Finding: Against Applicant
Substance / event: Stated Intent to Use Again
Use level: Not Applicable
Response: Admitted
Disqualifying (¶25):
(g) expressed intent to continue, or failure to commit to discontinue
Mitigating applied (¶26): —
Mitigation: —

¶	Allegation	Finding	Substance / event	Use level	Response	Disqualifying (¶25)	Mitigating applied (¶26)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant admits that he used marijuana, once or twice a week, from about 2015 until his last usage on September 10, 2025.	Against Applicant	Marijuana	Regular	Admitted	(a) any substance misuse (g) expressed intent to continue, or failure to commit to discontinue	—	—
1.b	Applicant confirmed an intent to use marijuana in the future.	Against Applicant	Stated Intent to Use Again	Not Applicable	Admitted	(g) expressed intent to continue, or failure to commit to discontinue	—	—

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

UE c/ f::. '1. 0-~~~ 0 ~ ______________ ______________ DEPARTMENT OF WAR DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS In the matter of: ) ) ) ISCR Case No. 25-00986 ) Applicant for Security Clearance ) Appearances For Government: Rhett Petcher, Esquire, Department Counsel For Applicant: Pro se 04/29/2026 Decision CEFOLA, Richard A., Administrative Judge: On February 3, 2023, Applicant submitted his Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP). On August 27, 2025, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS) issued Applicant a Statement of Reasons (SOR) detailing security concerns under Guideline H (Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse). The action was taken under Executive Order 10865, Safeguarding Classified Information within Industry (February 20, 1960), as amended; Department of Defense Directive 5220.6, Defense Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Review Program (January 2, 1992), as amended (Directive); and the Adjudicative Guidelines effective June 8, 2017. Applicant answered the SOR on September 10, 2025, and requested a hearing before an administrative judge. The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) received the request soon thereafter. I received the case assignment on December 18, 2025. DOHA issued a Notice of Hearing on January 8, 2026, and I convened the hearing as scheduled on March 5, 2026. The Government offered Exhibits (GXs) 1 and 2, which were received without objection. Applicant testified and offered Exhibit (AppX) A, which 1

was received without objection. He also asked that the record be kept open until April 2, 2026, for the receipt of additional documentation. On April 1, 2026, Applicant submitted AppXs B through D, which were received without objection. DOHA received the transcript of the hearing (TR) on March 16, 2026. Based upon a review of the pleadings, exhibits, and testimony, eligibility for access to classified information is denied. Findings of Fact In his Answer to the SOR Applicant admitted the factual allegations in Paragraph 1 of the SOR, with explanations. He also provided additional information to support his request for eligibility for a security clearance. Applicant is 27 years old, married, and has one child. He has a high school degree. He works for a defense contractor. (TR at page 5 line 11 to page 6 line 10, at page 13 line 16 to page 15 line 4, and GX 1 at page 5.) Guideline H – Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse 1.a. and 1.b. Applicant admits that he used marijuana, once or twice a week, from about 2015 until his last usage on September 10, 2025. Applicant used marijuana approximately 500~600 times over the ten-year period, where it was legal in the state in which he resides. His wife still smokes marijuana in his presence, and his brother-in-law was his supplier. Applicant’s last use of marijuana was after the issuance of the SOR, and about two and a half years after he executed his e-QIP in February of 2023. When he answered the SOR, Applicant confirmed an intent to use marijuana in the future. At his hearing, however, Applicant withdrew his confirmation as to future usage. He has also submitted the negative results of a random February 3, 2026, drug test. (TR at page 15 line 21 to page 28 line 20, and AppX A.) 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 useful 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. 2

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. Likewise, I have avoided drawing inferences grounded on mere speculation or conjecture. Under Directive ¶ E3.1.14, the Government must present evidence to establish controverted facts alleged in the SOR. Under Directive ¶ E3.1.15, an “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 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 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 Executive Order 10865 provides that 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. 3

The guideline at AG ¶ 25 contains seven conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying. Two conditions are clearly established: (a) any substance misuse (see above definition); and (g) expressed intent to continue drug involvement and substance misuse, or failure to clearly and convincingly commit to discontinue such misuse. Appellant smoked marijuana hundreds of times over a decade, ending as recently as September 10, 2025. However, when he answered the SOR, Applicant confirmed an intent to use marijuana in the future. AG ¶ 25(a) is clearly applicable. The guideline at AG ¶ 26 contains four conditions that could mitigate security concerns. Two conditions may be 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. Neither of these are applicable. Applicant’s extensive usage of marijuana ended only about six months ago. He also obviously still associates with his marijuana user wife, and marijuana supplier brother-in-law. He has yet to sign a statement of intent to abstain from marijuana’s future use. Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse is found against Applicant. 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 an applicant’s conduct and all the circumstances. The administrative judge should consider the nine adjudicative process factors listed at AG ¶ 2(d): 4

________________ (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. AG ¶ 2(b) requires each case must be judged on its own merits. 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. Applicant is a good employee, as evidenced by three favorable performance reviews. (AppXs B~D.) However, overall, the record evidence leaves me with questions and doubts as to Applicant’s eligibility and suitability for a security clearance. For this reason, I conclude Applicant failed to mitigate the security concerns arising from his drug involvement and substance abuse. Formal Findings Formal findings for or against Applicant on the allegations set forth in the SOR, as required by ¶ E3.1.25 of Enclosure 3 of the Directive, are: Paragraph 1, Guideline H: AGAINST APPLICANT Subparagraphs 1.a. and 1.b: Against 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. Richard A. Cefola Administrative Judge 5