1. Should an otherwise qualified candidate for a law enforcement job be disqualified when they reveal the legal use of marijuana? 

2. Should you tell the truth about alcohol and drug use when applying for a criminal justice position? 

3. What are the possible long-term consequences for students who smoke pot legally and want to work in the criminal justice system?

The sale of recreational and medical marijuana is creating novel legal and ethical issues. As of January 1, 2014, when the first retail marijuana shop opened in Colorado, anyone 21 years or older is allowed to purchase pot from a licensed store without fear of citations or arrest, although public use is still banned. In 2019, Colorado sales of recreational, medical, edible, and concentrate products reached a record high of $1.7 billion. Although the marijuana industry offers a wide variety of employment opportunities, and in some cases the jobs are quite lucrative, positions in the field may limit opportunities to work in the criminal justice system. Previous use of marijuana is a contentious matter when applying for jobs in the criminal justice system. The standards for law enforcement agencies vary. In some police departments a job candidate may be disqualified if they ever smoked marijuana, while in others it depends on the number of times a drug has been used across the life span, or if the last incident was 1 to 5 years ago. Many police departments consider the use of marijuana a reason for disqualification as long as it remains a federal crime. Also, an employee's use of medical or recreational marijuana while on the job gives an employer the right to fire the user, according to the Colorado Supreme Court.

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Addressing the legal use of marijuana in the context of law enforcement job applications involves a nuanced consideration of various factors including ... View the full answer