Marijuana vs. Illegal Drug Use on Form 2030

T

__Tracer_Bullet__

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Hello,

I am currently filling out Form 2030. Unfortunately, I have experimented with marijuana twice in my life and will be admitting to this. This is all I have ever done. The section before the actual questionnaire states:

"Illegal drugs are defined as 'any drug or narcotic that is habit forming or has a potential for abuse because of its stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect.' These substances include, but are not limited to, marijuana, spice, bath salts, inhalants, substances used in huffing, and/or prescription or over-the-counter medications when used in a manner contrary to their intended medical purpose." Keep in mind how it defines marijuana as an "illegal drug".

The actual questionnaire separates "marijuana" and "illegal drugs" into two separate questions. It asks if I have ever "experimented with marijuana" in one question, and asking if I have "ever experimented with, used, or possessed any illegal drug or narcotic?" in the other, defining illegal drugs as, "Any drug or narcotic that is habit forming or has a potential for abuse because of its stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect. Includes, but not limited to: cocaine, crack, hallucinogens..." etc. never including marijuana.

So, while if I was filling out the questionnaire without the statements before it, marijuana would not be defined as an illegal drug, but the statements before define it as one. I think this is just a mix up in wording, but I am just trying to be as honest as possible without admitting to things I have not done. I am definitely leaning toward saying no to the second question, because why would they separate the questions in the first place if they did not want to differentiate between marijuana extermination and illegal drug use? But what do you all think?

Thanks.
 
I personally would talk to your ALO and USAFA counselor. We are great for certain advice and tips, but USAFA is the place to go when you need clear, accurate information. They've seen your situation before and will see it again. Being honest ( as you are) is the best policy and that includes asking from the source. I trust that they will be able to give you the perfect answer.
 
Don’t overthink this. “Not limited to” means exactly what it says, the following listed items are not the complete list. Marijuana may or may not be listed.
They want to know if you have used marijuana. Answer that.

The advice you get on an anonymous Internet forum is worth exactly what you pay for it, including mine. Either go to a primary source in your official contacts, or ask Mr. Larry Mullen @MullenLE the Deputy Director, DoDMERB in that forum.
 
Capt MJ said:
Don’t overthink this. “Not limited to” means exactly what it says, the following listed items are not the complete list. Marijuana may or may not be listed.
They want to know if you have used marijuana. Answer that.

The advice you get on an anonymous Internet forum is worth exactly what you pay for it, including mine. Either go to a primary source in your official contacts, or ask Mr. Larry Mullen @MullenLE the Deputy Director, DoDMERB in that forum.
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Thank you for the advice. I will do so.
 
It is also refreshing to see you focusing on understanding the question, taking the time to be clear on it, and not quibbling about answering the question factually. This is a pleasure to see.

Every year we see applicants who rush through these forms, clicking “yes” when it should be “no,” or the reverse, realizing they have made a mistake, and now they have fallen down the remedial rabbit hole with extra work to do. Perhaps they have not read carefully, and conflated “abuse” and “use,” for example. Perhaps they didn’t consult with parents, and forgot to put a surgery down that happened when they were babies.

Every year we see applicants pause on this drug usage history question, worried if parents will see it, if doctors will ask about it with parents present, if they only kinda sorta used it as a joke once a long time ago do they have to answer yes, or worse, they selected “no,” and the error is compounding with time.

You are doing the right thing to get the clarity you need to answer it accurately and thoughtfully.
 
1. CORRECT. Do not overthink it.
2. CORRECT. Query your ALO and USAFA Counselor.
3. CORRECT: There is no state that allows for possession or use of marijuana under age 18.
4. CORRECT: Examples as it relates to what Tracer Bullet reports:

a. " I have experimented with marijuana twice in my life."
b. " I have experimented with marijuana twice in my life. I was age 18 when this occurred. In my state, this was legal use. I spoke with my ALO Lt Col XXXX or my USAFA Admissions counselor Ms Schmucatelli. They told me to admit to this experimentation and caveat that it was legal use at the time.

5. The above examples are truthful (based on your report). The second example also shows that you also wanted to be accurate because the way the form asked the questions.
6. On all government forms, it is required that you answer questions truthfully. It is never wrong if you caveat to comment what you believe the truth to be in YOUR case. :bang: :wiggle:
 
MullenLE said:
They told me to admit to this experimentation and caveat that it was legal use at the time.
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Marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law. If you are going to make any statement regarding legality , you should state it was "legal in my state..." (Personally, I would recommend avoiding any statement regarding legality, as it is simply quibbling in this instance. The form is careful to define the term "illegal drug" to expand beyond those that are not actually illegal for a reason.
 
I'd be interested in hearing if anyone knows if marijuana use is disqualifying. When I was in, a past experience of experimentation or irregular use in the past was not disqualifying in itself. What got people in trouble was lying about it. We even had on guy admit prior use during screening for TS/SCI who had previously denied it, and since he came clean for the TS/SCI he was cleared and there was no action taken.
 
This is the standard "u. Any history of substance-related and addictive disorders (except using caffeine or tobacco)" :wiggle:
 
BuckeyeDad20 said:
I'd be interested in hearing if anyone knows if marijuana use is disqualifying. When I was in, a past experience of experimentation or irregular use in the past was not disqualifying in itself. What got people in trouble was lying about it. We even had on guy admit prior use during screening for TS/SCI who had previously denied it, and since he came clean for the TS/SCI he was cleared and there was no action taken.
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Marijuana is not disqualifying if you have not been adjudicated for it. However, lying on the form 2030 and then admitting it on a security clearance questionnaire is absolutely going to get you in trouble. USAFA and the the individuals who do your clearance compare notes after inprocessing. The OSI also comes to USAFA years after to see if you lied on your AF Form 2030. So don't lie about drug use. I can tell you a lot of stories. Most ended badly (very badly) when a lie was involved.
 
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