Senator Demands Answers on CBP Marijuana Policy Change
In a bid to attract more recruits and fill staff vacancies, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently relaxed its policy on previous marijuana usage by U.S. Border Patrol Agents.
Under the change, CBP will look back through a new recruits’ history, to ensure they have not used marijuana within three months of applying for a border patrol position. The lookback period for marijuana usage among CBP recruits used to be two years.
That policy change is not sitting well with Senator James Lankford (R-OK), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Governmental Operations and Border Management, who wants the policy restored to the two-year time frame.
In a letter to CBP Acting Commissioner Troy Miller, Senator Lankford writes that he’s “gravely concerned that this policy change undermines the security and integrity of the Border Patrol workforce” noting that it “flatly contradicts Border Patrol’s mission to protect our nation against illegal drugs.”
Senator Lankford writes that CBP told his staff that the policy change was “precipitated in part because of confusion between Federal law and state law in states where marijuana has been legalized.” The senator goes on to say that as a federal agency, “CBP should ensure its personnel comply with Federal law regarding the illicit or otherwise prohibited use of controlled substances.”
In addition, Senator Lankford states that CBP briefers told his staff that recruits who admit to using marijuana “often admit to other disqualifying criminal conduct.”
The senator notes that his subcommittee “retains jurisdiction over Federal hiring and border management.”
Senator Lankford also sent 11 questions on recruits and marijuana usage to Acting CBP Director Miller for answers by May 7, 2024.
CBP Actions
The relaxation of the marijuana policy comes as CBP is trying to get more workers into the door.
In January 2024, the agency announced bonuses of up to $30,000 for new agents who meet select requirements, with the extra money going to agents who are stationed at remote outposts.