Changing public sentiment about marijuana—even about what to call it—has led to a number of policy changes and legislative proposals that could significantly impact employers and workers in the coming year. But if you work for the federal government or in the national security space, it’s important to remember that “just say no” is still the law of the land.
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which passed the House in December and is expected to be reintroduced this session, would not only remove marijuana from the list of Schedule I drugs, but also change the name from marijuana to “cannabis” wherever the drug is mentioned. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has signaled he’s on board for Congress to make major moves on drug reform this year. All of that policy signaling doesn’t mean federal workers should rush to their local dispensary, and national security leaders, in particular, are urging caution.
“We’re reiterating the federal drug free workplace,” noted Valerie Kerben, senior security advisor for the special security directorate at the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, speaking at a briefing for clearance reform and policy advisors last week. She emphasized that a 2014 memo from the Director of National Intelligence on federal drug policies in light of state law changes still stands, and all national security workers and federal employees should follow the 2014 guidance and abstain from any drug use—even in states where it is legal. That doesn’t mean changes won’t come in the future, however.
“We’re considering putting out clarifying guidance, and also monitoring legislation,” Kerben emphasized.
Where Legalization May Not Apply
Even if drugs were made legal at the federal level, drug invo ..
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