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This is an area where DOJ and FedGov policies have changed a lot over the past 5 years.

To crystallize the best info possible, please do not speculate, and please give approximate year when you obtained this knowledge. The best source would be a recent hire who has spoken on the phone with OARM.

I previously had my tentative offer dinged bc of a suitability issue with drug use. I am hesitant to give any more info, but will say it was very modest (can count on one hand) non-marijuana use.

The information I received was to wait to apply again until a full 7 years passed.

My question is this—does anyone have any credible info that the 7 year look-back has been reduced to 5 years.

1. OPM is set to roll out a new security form this year that will replace the current SF-86. In the new form, they only ask you to declare use from the 5 previous years. (I understand that SF-86 is about the “security” clearance and DOJ’s drug usage policy goes to “suitability,” which is a different inquiry, but as a practical matter the two appear to overlap significantly).

2. Federal LE agencies (FBI, ATF, USSF) tend to list their drug policies more transparently on their website than DOJ. Browsing these policies online, I’ve noticed that several
of them appear to have changed their policies. For example, ATF now says you should not have done hard drugs in past 5 years. Previously, the look-back was 7 or 10 years (can’t remember which).

Thanks for the help!

Bumping this again. Any insights would be so much appreciated!!!

Side note, I miss the good old days around 2010-2015 when TLS was so active!

OP here, I'd like to bump this one more time.

I have one non-MJ experimental use, and 3-4 MJ uses, that are 5.5 years old, but technically "post-bar."

I was hired very recently. They still haven’t removed the 7-year look back. (Last I checked, it hadn’t been updated as of this summer for any agency.)It takes forever for OPM to update anything.

(I’m anon OP).

To above user—interesting; aside from the e-quip maintaining the 7-year look back, did you gain any feedback on whether and how they will tolerate use falling within that window?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 17, 2025 12:12 am

(I’m anon OP).

To above user—interesting; aside from the e-quip maintaining the 7-year look back, did you gain any feedback on whether and how they will tolerate use falling within that window?

Short answer: no. The powers that be never told me how they view use falling within that window.

Long answer: no, but I am inclined to think that they will tolerate marijuana use that is not habitual/under concerning circumstances. I smoked marijuana once in that window before law school and had some juvenile criminal history. I revealed all this (obviously) in the SF-86, so I explained to my interviewer why this was a one-time use/how I have been rehabilitated and won’t ever smoke/be a dipshit again. I got a waiver very quickly after my interview, and so far, I haven’t had any issues working in my current role. (I’ve been so busy that I would be surprised if I got dinged, if that makes sense.)