Drug Policy

Drug Policy for ATF Applicants

ATF is firmly committed to a drug-free workplace and while ATF does not condone any prior unlawful drug use by applicants, ATF realizes some otherwise qualified applicants may have used illegal drugs at some point in their past. With that in mind, these guidelines are used in the hiring process to help determine whether prior drug use makes an applicant eligible and/or suitable for ATF employment.

These guidelines are not a comprehensive listing of all drug use that is considered when determining suitability for employment, but rather a guide for drug use that is automatically disqualifying. Please ensure that you meet these standards before applying.

Automatic Drug Disqualifiers

Misrepresentation

All applicants will be found unsuitable for employment and automatically disqualified if there is found to be deliberate misrepresentation regarding drug history in connection with any part of the application for employment and vetting processes.

Position of Public Responsibility

All applicants will be found unsuitable for employment and automatically disqualified as outlined below for drug use or related conduct that occurred while holding a position of public responsibility. This term applies to conduct that occurred, either on or off duty, while the applicant was employed in or held any position which:

Requires a federal government security clearance,
Requires a public trust federal background investigation,
Is a sworn law enforcement position, or
Is an elected or appointed position in which law enforcement authority is legally vested.

Addictive Usage

All applicants will be found unsuitable for employment and automatically disqualified as outlined below for addictive drug use. This term applies to drug use that caused physical or mental dependency on a controlled substance or prescription drug, and/or an inability to stop taking a controlled substance or prescription drug without incurring adverse effects.

Marijuana/Cannabis (natural or synthetic)

Use within a state/locality that has legalized marijuana use or use for legal medical purposes, is still considered illegal by federal law. The following activities are automatically disqualifying:

Distribution, sale, or transport for profit, cultivation, or manufacturing of marijuana without state/local legal authorization while in a position of public responsibility.

Prescription Drugs (including prescribed controlled substances)

The following activities are automatically disqualifying:

Addictive usage while in a position of public responsibility within the last five (5) years.
Distribution, sale or transporting prescribed drugs for profit without legal authorization while in a position of public responsibility.
Manufacturing any prescription drug.

Illegal Drugs/Controlled Substances (excluding Marijuana and prescribed controlled substances)