A bipartisan pair of House members filed legislation Thursday that would prohibit the federal government from denying employment or security clearances based on prior marijuana use.
Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Zachary Nunn (R-IA) introduced the Cannabis Users' Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act, which would also provide a pathway for individuals who have already lost federal opportunities due to cannabis to seek reinstatement.
The bill addresses a growing disconnect between state-level legalization efforts and federal employment policies. While 38 states have legalized medical cannabis and 24 have approved adult-use programs, federal agencies continue to disqualify otherwise qualified candidates over marijuana use that occurred years or even decades ago.
"Current federal hiring practices are preventing talented Americans from serving their country," Raskin said in a statement accompanying the bill's introduction. The Maryland Democrat has long advocated for cannabis policy reform, including as a co-sponsor of previous marijuana banking legislation.
Nunn, a freshman Republican from Iowa, brings a different perspective to the effort. His state has yet to legalize adult-use cannabis, but maintains a limited medical program. The bipartisan nature of the sponsorship signals potential broader appeal in a divided Congress.
The Numbers
Federal workforce data shows thousands of applicants are rejected annually for security clearances due to past drug use, with marijuana representing the overwhelming majority of such denials. The Office of Personnel Management does not break out specific cannabis-related rejection figures, but policy experts estimate marijuana accounts for 60-70% of drug-related employment denials.
The legislation comes as federal agencies face persistent staffing challenges. The cybersecurity sector has proven particularly difficult, with qualified candidates often disqualified over college-era marijuana use despite critical national security needs.
Industry Response
Cannabis industry advocates welcomed the measure as long overdue.
"You have a situation where someone could legally purchase cannabis in Virginia, cross the Potomac, and be unemployable by the federal government," said Morgan Fox, political director at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). "That's absurd policy."
The bill would require federal agencies to revise their employment and clearance questionnaires within 180 days of enactment. Agencies would be prohibited from asking about marijuana use that occurred more than one year prior to application, mirroring policies already adopted by some private sector employers.
Crucially, the legislation includes retroactive relief provisions. Individuals who were denied positions or had clearances revoked solely due to past cannabis use could petition for reconsideration. Agencies would have 90 days to review such petitions.
What Happens Next
The bill faces uncertain prospects despite its bipartisan sponsorship. Similar measures have been introduced in previous congressional sessions but failed to advance beyond committee.
However, the political landscape has shifted. Recent polling shows 70% of Americans support legalizing marijuana, including majorities in both parties. That public sentiment has translated into incremental policy changes, including the Biden administration's move to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.
The CURE Act has been referred to the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, where Raskin serves as ranking member. No hearing has been scheduled yet.
Timing could prove critical. With the 119th Congress still finding its footing and major appropriations battles looming, smaller-scale reform measures often struggle for floor time. Advocates are pushing for the bill to be included in must-pass legislation, though that strategy has proven difficult with cannabis measures in the past.
The legislation does not address current marijuana use by federal employees or contractors, which remains prohibited under the Drug-Free Workplace Act. It focuses exclusively on past use and its impact on hiring and clearance decisions.
This article is based on original reporting by www.marijuanamoment.net.
