Polygrpah for security clearance question?

Question

If a polygraph test is required for security clearance and they ask about drug use:

If you say you have smoked marijuana 4 to 5 times more than 3 years ago can they legally use it against you?

Answer 1

Its up to the discretion of the employer at that point.
On a polygraph, all you can answer is yes or no. The polygrapher will then ask about failed questions, or about any that you answer yes on if they need to be explained.
Most times, for a security clearance, past drug use will preclude you from getting a clearance, but, it is a question of what type of clearance. Government or private sector.

Answer 2

The use of any drug can not be used against you legally. Being a user or an addict is not illegal. Possesion is illegal, not your status of having used drugs in the past. In order to be legally charged you must either possess the drug, or have committed some other crime caused by the drug (ie: driving while impaired).

However, an employer can choose not to hire or terminate based on prior or current drug use. No law says an employer must hire you. Even if you are otherwise well qualified, drug use can be a big turn off, especially for a clearance. Also, if you are subject to probation regulations and test positive, back to jail....

Answer 3

Probably, as you have used illegal drugs. Companies who do polygraphs for job security do not want anyone who has used illegal substances. If you lie on the polygraph, it will show it.

Answer 4

I'd ask someone who knows before you get to that point because it may red flag you for other jobs.

Find out what questions they will ask. For example, if they are only going to ask about the past three years, and you smoked four years ago, then I might go for it. Otherwise I don't know.