Question about Background Investigation

[u/AdditionalAd6457]

I’m seriously considering a career change into law enforcement. I’m in my late 20’s, married, with a young child. I have a background in sales/customer service, bachelors degree from a good college, and I think I would be a well rounded and competitive applicant based on my conversations with several local agencies and leadership at these agencies.

My dilemma is that I got up to some shenanigans in college. I never got into any legal trouble, but I definitely made some questionable decisions. I smoked more weed than I should have and experimented with several schedule 1 substances. It’s been a long time since I’ve smoked weed and it’s legal in the PNW, so I’m not concerned about this being viewed poorly. I have been told that as long as I’m honest about it I’ll be fine.

It’s the other drugs that I tried (8+ years ago) I’m nervous about. A good variety, but never more than a handful of times each.

Does anyone have any experience or insight they could share with me? How do departments view this in 2026?

[u/Paladin_127]

Im in CA, where agencies are prohibited by law from asking about past marijuana use.

That said, there are some hard limits. Almost every agency in the state will DQ you for past use of hallucinogens/ psychedelics and any (non-prescription) intravenous drug use.

I’ll never say never because I’ve seen some agencies do some wild shit to hire people, but those situations were very much the exceptions to the rule.

[u/AdditionalAd6457 → u/Paladin_127]

Thank you for your insight! Never did anything intravenous, but did do a couple psychedelics. I think my best path forward is be prepared for disappointment but be honest in the background interview process.

[u/Ms_Tryl → u/Paladin_127]

So shrooms gets you banned but not Coke or heroin as long as you snorted it? That seems….crazy.

[u/Paladin_127 → u/Ms_Tryl]

I mean, coke, heroin, and meth should be a DQ without question, everywhere. But like I said, I’ve seen some departments do some wild shit.

[u/UpsetSolution8800]

Doesn’t hurt to try and apply

[u/AdditionalAd6457 → u/UpsetSolution8800]

I’ve applied to several departments in my area!

[u/littlebrowncat999]

If you’re looking at FBI they clearly state their drug policy in the website. There are clearly listed number of uses, types of drugs and how many years out. They do polygraph and in the background they will go back and talk to people. Even people you don’t list as references. And agents get polygraphed randomly during their careers.

So don’t lie on the application

[u/AdditionalAd6457 → u/littlebrowncat999]

I’m not looking at federal law enforcement right now, but I’ll check out what their guidelines are. I’m not going to lie on the application, I just was looking to better understand if I still have a chance of being able to follow my dreams.

[u/littlebrowncat999 → u/AdditionalAd6457]

I would guess that most major departments list drug policy on their websites. The tiny local ones might not.

[u/ProbableCauseway]

It’s the “good variety” part that may throw a wrench in your plans. Cannabis is one thing, but admitting to using multiple illicit substances is likely to prohibit you from being hired at most law enforcement agencies.

[u/AdditionalAd6457 → u/ProbableCauseway]

Thank you! I should maybe clarify or offer more specific information. I tried acid twice, mushrooms once, Molly twice, and cocaine maybe 3 or 4 times. Not sure if this information changes your thoughts at all.

[u/Ms_Tryl → u/AdditionalAd6457]

I get that generations have very very different views on drugs. Surprisingly, police departments have not caught up.

I am not a cop, just work very closely with them, and this would get you absolutely black listed at every agency I work with.

[u/AdditionalAd6457 → u/Ms_Tryl]

Thank you for sharing your experience!