FBI Considers Relaxing Rules For Recruits' Marijuana Use (moved from ATSNN), page 1

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is considering a revision of its policy related to the hiring of personnel who admit prior use of marijuana. While the proposed policy revision would not apply to FBI special agents, the ability to hire analysts, and other non-agent employees would make the FBI more competitive with other intelligence agencies.

www.foxnews.com
WASHINGTON — The FBI, famous for its straight-laced crime-fighting image, is considering whether to relax its hiring rules over how often applicants could have used marijuana or other illegal drugs earlier in life.

Some senior FBI managers have been deeply frustrated that they could not hire applicants who acknowledged occasional marijuana use in college, but in some cases already perform top-secret work at other government agencies, such as the CIA or State Department.

FBI Director Robert Mueller will make the final decision. "We can't say when or if this is going to happen, but we are exploring the possibility," spokesman Stephen Kodak said.

The rules, however, would not be relaxed for FBI special agents, the fabled "G-men" who conduct most criminal and terrorism investigations. Also, the new plan would continue to ban current drug use.

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It would seem that the FBI is between a rock and a hard place. There is something to be said for an agency that strives to maintain an extremely high standard despite a society that appears to be headed in the opposite direction.

On the other hand, if the FBI wishes to be effective in the fight against domestic crime & terrorism, all segments of society must be considered when it comes to recruiting - even those that the old-timers and hard-liners might find objectionable.