A warning to anyone in Washington state applying for Global Entry

Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level so would be a disqualifier for federal security clearances. And Like it or not, Global Entry is a type of security clearance.

BTW, if you’ve never used then you don’t have to lie. Your original post kind of assumes everyone has used.

That's interesting. We have Nexus which gives us expedited land and sea entry in Canada, Mexico and US, along with Global Entry and TSA precheck. I do not remember being asked about marijuana usage. Was the questioned asked in the written application or the interview?

Was the question " . . . use . . ." or ". . . have (ever) used . . . "?

Curious why you directed this admonition to anyone in Washington, lots of states now allow marijuana use. Or is that question only asked when applying in Washington?

Wonder what Rick Steves would do/did.

I would be very cautious of this information. First, there was no such question when we applied. Second, lying on a federal form is not a good idea since it could be a felony.

As a lawyer, I echo the sentiment that lying on government forms is a BAD thing.

Marijuana use is criminalized under federal law, but a decent number of states have decriminalized the use and possession of small amounts. It is not a defense if asked to say, "I thought it was okay because in California it's no big deal."

If you use, you forfeit certain federal rights, for instance, your right to purchase a firearm. Why? Well, the ATF form 4473 requires you to answer the following question before you can purchase a firearm: "Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?" If you answer yes truthfully, you will be prohibited from purchasing a firearm. If you lie and answer no falsely, and your deception is discovered, you can be prosecuted for perjury.

Forewarned is forearmed.

Mike's post can be read as a warning to be aware that state and federal laws may differ from each other and that different states/cities will have different laws regarding marijuana and also guns. NYC has very strict gun control laws and every so often there will be an article about a US tourist from another states who arrive at the Freedom Tower and ask where to check their handgun. Against the law here.

Compare that to this recent article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2019/05/04/tsa-check-were-cool-and-were-not-looking-for-your-weed/#123354b531e6

Edgar, your post made me laugh out loud! No more global entry for Rick.......

I don’t recall this question as being on my original application, either. Is it specific as to DO you use or DID you (ever) use? Depending on the wording, the answer might be very different for some of us. Interesting post.

Wbfey1 quoted the ATF regulation as specifying "illegal user" or "addicted to" -- so would occasional use in a jurisdiction where it is legal trigger a "yes" answer ??
Just wondering ... Miss Goody Two Shoes here.

I don't recall any such question on my application either.

I suppose it's possible an interviewer could ask it during the in-person interview for GE? Or perhaps, if someone has a past conviction for marijuana use/possession in a state where it's since been legalized (perhaps even with the past conviction expunged?) then the issue pops up? Even if I was in that situation I'd not risk leaving it off or denying it. I'd rather just make do and hope the mobile passport app could suffice for expedited entry. I'd be a bummer, and the issue of marijuana criminalization is a whole separate one, but I think getting caught trying to sneak something like that by would forever dash any hopes of getting GE.

I would like to see a link to the actual form where the question is asked.

And if the question is there, what does it mean? What qualifies as marijuana use? If you use a CBD ointment for back pain, does that count? What about CBD chocolate candy? I have friends who use and rely on both, does that mean they are barred from the Global Entry path?

We applied last month and did not have this question. We actually live in Washington state.

There is no specific question on the application about the topic. The form is the same no matter where you apply. Closest thing is a question about any convictions for any crimes.

And just because someone lives in a location where marijuana is not treated as an illegal substance doesn't mean they use it.

If they asked a follow up question like "have you ever eaten large quantities of M&M's" I would be dead in the water! LOL

i am guessing that this was an "internet story" that was picked up and passed along without checking sources. Our interview was focused on confirming our earlier information and mostly how to used the GE machine.

so would occasional use in a jurisdiction where it is legal trigger a "yes" answer ??

It’s still illegal at the federal level. Technically, there is no legal jurisdiction until it is also legal at the federal level.

To those who are wondering about what happened:

I was interviewed at SeaTac yesterday for the TTP/Global Entry program. During the course of the interview, after being asked if I had ever been arrested or had a DUI, I was handed a sheet of paper inside a see-through plastic folder. There were approximately 10 questions on the paper. I was asked if any applied to me.

Question #5 was "Have you ever used any illegal drugs (INCLUDING MARIJUANA) even if PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR."

I'm paraphrasing the question, but the part about marijuana and the doctor were both in all-caps and bold.

I told the interviewer I smoke marijuana. He asked me three direct questions:

1. When is the last time you smoked marijuana?
2. How long have you been smoking marijuana?
3. How often do you smoke marijuana?

I answered all three questions honestly and was told that my application would have to go to an ombudsman and that I would probably be rejected.

So there's the whole story.

-- Mike Beebe

Mike, your story is fascinating. I wonder how different answers to those 3 questions would affect an application.

So, the question came up in the personal interview after submitting the initial application, not on the application. It's entirely possible that the questions asked by an interviewer could be unique to that particular interviewer and that particular interviewee and being asked in order to clarify something on the application or in the background check that is conducted before the interview. Based on other posters here, that question was not asked in their interviews, so I guess I wouldn't be too worried about something that might not even come up.

Wow, Mike! Would you please let us know what result of your application? Since this question was not on my app or asked in my very brief interview, I'd really would like to know. Your original post title makes a lot of sense now. I wasn't sure where you were going with it at first.

Thank you Mike, very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to post this.

Interesting that TSA has stated they do not actively look for marijuana . . . But if they find it they must report it.

https://www.flyertalk.com/articles/the-tsa-we-wont-look-for-your-pot.html

Most of the GE investigating takes place before the interview. Perhaps they found some information on something else they had access to, like a gov job application, security clearance report, court records, etc., and they wanted to see what you would say. Some questions they ask just to see if your answer is the same as in the past.

Glad you didn't lie.

Was this you on Reddit?

In my interview, all we talked about was clay court tennis for the entire time as the interviewer had photos of clay courts in his cubicle. Pays to be interviewed at JFK by a fellow tennis fan! By the way, anyone can be interviewed anywhere in the US; it is not state specific. So if you know you'll be in Boston or Pittsburgh for example, you can see if you can schedule your interview for the times you are there.

Wonder what Rick Steves would do/did.

Why assume he would choose to lie? No way.

I am sorry but it still doesn't make any sense. Because of the volume of the applications there is no way them can do in-depth back ground check. All they can do is verify that you are who you say your and back it up with general checks against government records and especially looking for red flags.

Continental: That wasn't me on Reddit, but that's what telling the truth gets you in America.

Also, an interesting follow-up: a co-worker's parents also applied for GE and were directly asked if they'd ever had anything confiscated at an airport. The husband answered no, and was asked again. When he answered "no" a second time, he was asked about a knife he had confiscated a number of years ago. He had totally forgotten about it, but it's interesting that there was apparently a record on-file about the confiscation.

-- Mike Beebe

Continental: That wasn't me on Reddit, but that's what telling the
truth gets you in America.

Yes, the truth is what is expected in the US and hopefully everywhere! The alternative is to lie? You learned an expensive lesson.

Because of the volume of the applications there is no way them can do in-depth back ground check.

You're right they can't do an 'in-depth' background check as in agents going to talk to neighbors or employers etc.. I assume their background checks do do a thorough online check of various relevant registries/databases and a lot can be found on those, a lot more than we as ordinary citizens have access to. As is evidenced by Mike's last post and the comment about someone whose confiscation of a knife at the airport was in the database.

I would say that forewarned is forearmed and if there's anything in your past that you think they may turn up it would behoove you to be honest about it if asked. As I've been told in the past "don't volunteer information but, if asked, don't lie".