Will I have a chance at getting a security clearance?
So in college about 11-12 years ago I experimented with a bunch of drugs and disclosed it to my first job where I was granted a secret clearance because I hadn’t used any substances in about 2 years.
Fast forward to today, I was at a company that didn’t require any abstinence of marijuana nor was it tested for. I was laid off back in December and I believe the last time I used any marijuana was sometime during the summer and the usage prior to that time was occasional over the years and it was just by myself not with friends or anything (edibles, legal in our state). Now I know it’s federally illegal but in my interviewing process, I’m back looking at jobs that require a clearance. Having used last about 6 months ago or so, do I even have a chance, or should I just stop interviewing for clearance requiring positions? I don’t want to waste my time because I don’t have much time left on unemployment benefits. The positions require a Secret level only.
Posted Mar 5, 2026, 4:56 PM UTC