Expert: Jason Grabill - 5/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I'm an 18 year old majoring in criminal justice. I have been smoking marijuana on and off throughout my juvenile life and has smoked marijuana on a daily basis for a year and a half. But now I have put down the marijuana and put it in my past. I have also down ecstasy under 15 times, and stopped that also. Is there any chance that I could become a cop? If I knew I was thinking about becoming a cop earlier on in my life, I wouldn't have abused drugs as I have done, but I believe physically and mentally I am capable of hard work.

ANSWER: You have no chance of becoming a police officer due to your past history of frequent drug abuse.    

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oh I see I see. I'm sorry to ask another question, but absolutely no chance at all in prince george county?? I know that I'm not a delinquent or anything, I'm a quick-witted, bright person and I definitely don't look like a criminal or anything...If not, could there possibly be a way that I can get my foot in the door? at all? Thank you for answering my questions, I really do appreciate them and believe you know what you are talking about.

Answer
Nope.  Zero (and I do mean ZERO) chance of getting hired in ANY Maryland jurisdiction.  You are well over the amount of usage allowed.   I'm not an expert on other states rules, but you are likely over most of them as well.    And I'm afraid it's 'for life' in Maryland.  

Realistically, you should look to another career path.    That's just the way it is I'm afraid.  You are young enough to do so.    

(Maryland also requires a polygraph test for Police officers, so lying about the amount of times you've used will just cause you to fail the test).

Lastly, you really need to stop smoking.    Not the least of which is because it's illegal.   Eventually you'll get busted for it and then you'll have a record that you don't need.

Jason