Medical Marijuana Maryland
Despite its therapeutic effects, marijuana use, of any kind, is not allowed when applying for a security clearance.
As many people know, medical marijuana has been linked to a number of health benefits, including its ability to alleviate pain and symptoms of Crohn’s disease, cancer, fibromyalgia, and epilepsy.
But despite those benefits, it can still effect your security status.
Continue reading to learn more about the conflict between prescribed use of medical marijuana and security clearance.
Will Medical Marijuana Use Affect Security Clearance?
Marijuana is considered an illicit drug, and its use is strictly prohibited to those applying for a cleared security status. This is true even for individuals that reside in states where medical marijuana is legal, and those that have medical marijuana certifications.
What’s more, this ban on medical marijuana even extends to CBD oil, which doesn’t have psychoactive properties or produce a high, like THC. Nevertheless, the DEA recognizes any form of CBD as a derivative of marijuana, and illegal at a federal level.
Federal Government vs. States
Confusion surrounding medical marijuana and security clearance has a lot to do with federal law vs. state law. Since marijuana, medical or recreational, is still illegal in the eyes of the federal government, its use is problematic for your status.
However, despite this stance, the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment passed in 2014, prohibits the Justice Department from targeting states in which medical marijuana is legal. This means that state-approved medical marijuana dispensaries cannot be subjected to federal raids.
Future of Medical Marijuana and Security Clearance
As a Schedule 1 drug, marijuana is characterized as having “no currently accepted medical use” and “high potential for abuse.”
Nevertheless, ongoing research on the therapeutic benefits of cannabis has the potential to change the way that the federal government approaches medical marijuana and security status in the future.
Want to Learn More About Medical Marijuana Use?
Visit or contact Dispensary Works today, and our knowledgeable budtenders will help you find the cannabis product that best meets your needs.
