experimentation with marijuana?

[SoonToBePD]

Back when i was 18, i went through a stressful time in my life and to cope with that stress i smoked marijuana.i havent done it since and havent gotten in any trouble with the law since. Im 20 now and planning on applying at local agencies(CA) when i turn 21. I have since then "cleaned up my act" so to speak. I went to school and recieved an AS degree in criminal science.
I just need to know if that can keep me from fufilling my dreams in LE.

[deputywave]

It may not kill your dreams. It will make it a lot harder to fulfill them. It'll depend on how many times you used. You'll also need to put more time between using and applying.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

My department defines 'experimentation' as any use less than 10 times total lifetime. More than that is not 'experimentation', it's 'use'.

[retdetsgt]

My department defines 'experimentation' as any use less than 10 times total lifetime. More than that is not 'experimentation', it's 'use'.

+1

Be honest, you weren't experimenting. You said yourself you used it to get through a rough time. Experimenting is trying it to see if you like it or not.

That being said, it may not be a deal killer, but you might have to put some more time in between then and when you apply. If you apply at 21, that's only three years. You might want to look at doing getting some good solid work history to put on your application to show you have turned it around.

To you, three years is an eternity. To us, it's not long at all.

[SoonToBePD]

thanks for the replies. i think putting more time between when i last used and when i apply is the way to go. but will they at least give me a chance to explain myself?

[kels]

Your best way to find out, is to talk to someone at the agencies you are interested in.

If you have your AA, start working on you Bach Degree. Having a four year degree wont hurt.

[retdetsgt]

but will they at least give me a chance to explain myself?

Explain what? Why you continually used a drug that you knew was illegal? I think this might be one of those times that the less said, the better. Sometimes over explaining will only dig yourself in deeper.

[cntryboy0531]

Nothing you can explain. You used, you didn't experiment. You need a lot more time between your last usage, and when you apply if you want a chance. However, I have concerns that you used a drug for "coping". What's going to happen when if you get the job and experience something truly stressful?

[valycop]

Nothing you can explain. You used, you didn't experiment. You need a lot more time between your last usage, and when you apply if you want a chance. However, I have concerns that you used a drug for "coping". What's going to happen when if you get the job and experience something truly stressful?

I agree with cntryboy0531 if you had to use marijuana to get through a stressful situation in your life what are you going to do if you enter law enforcement? Talk about stress, you haven't experienced the kind of stress LEO's experience.

Put some years between you and drug use, then reevaluate your situation.

[mcsap]

You have shown that you needed ( illegal) drugs to get through a stressful situation in your life. Why won't you do so again after going to your first fatal crash or dead baby call ?

Your degree is a plus. Staying out of trouble is expected , not rewarded. What else can you do or have you done to " right the wrong " in your life ? And why should we hire you instead of the person who had hurdles in life and didn't use illegal drugs ?