The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, has been around since 1973. Their main responsibility is to, “enforce controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States.” They’ll also arrest you if you’re suspected of any involvement with said controlled substances. That includes growing, trafficking, manufacturing, or distributing them.
While hemp is now a legal substance, it still comes from the cannabis plant. The same source that produces marijuana, which, as of now, is still a controlled substance at the federal level. Even though some states have made it legal, there’s still this confusing grey area where it will get you into trouble.
With hemp only becoming a legal substance as of 2018, if you want to work for the DEA, expect to have a conversation about it, and your use of marijuana.
What the DEA wants to know
For prospective employees or contractors, the DEA wants to know about your hemp use prior to December 20, 2018. This is when the Farm Bill passed and hemp and all its derivatives, which includes CBD, became legal.
Marijuana inquiries will also come up. Even if you’ve only used it for medicinal purposes, with a doctor’s prescription. You can’t keep this information to yourself.
How they ask
Through a standard drug questionnaire, applicants have to answer questions about their hemp usage. This establishes whether they were using it solely within its legal timeframe.
Additionally, marijuana is the only drug in the questionnaire where you have to disclose usage even if it was with a prescription.
Why it matters
The DEA has a zero-tolerance policy for the use of drugs or drug abuse by its employees and contractors. Even though hemp is legal now, using it prior to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill puts you under review as an applicant. Each case gets reviewed individually, but admitting to cannabis use under three years before submitting your application can render you ineligible.
The hesitation isn’t unfounded
The DEA isn’t the only government agency that feels “iffy” about employees using hemp-derived products on a regular basis. Even the military is still working on how it feels about its use. Most of the concern stems from what we don’t know yet about all the cannabinoids as well as the lack of regulations on the ingredients within products.
While hemp-derived products technically can’t contain more than 0.3 percent THC, not all manufactures ensure the quality of their products. Not all are honest with their ingredient breakdown. Some don’t list accurate information on their packaging, and others leave out vital information all together.
This puts users at risk of accidentally consuming more of a specific cannabinoid, like THC, than they intended. It also creates an increased risk of impairment while experiencing the effects of the product.
Affordable, quality hemp products make the difference
As many organizations still struggle with how they want to approach hemp use, the best thing anyone can do is know what’s in the products they’re using. Arbor Vita8 makes this easy. We list the ingredients of each product on our online store, so you can review them before you buy. We also ensure each product undergoes third-party testing for efficacy and safety. These extra lab tests affirm there is less than 0.3 percent THC in everything we sell.
At Arbor Vita8, you’re not only getting a superior product, whose ingredients you can trust, but you’re getting the best price. Quality doesn’t have to break the bank. Contact us today to learn more.
