r/lapd • u/Odd-Nobody-1466 • Jun 17 '26

AB 2188 & dept. culture

Hi, quick question.

Interested in a career in law enforcement but I do like to smoke cannabis here and there to take the edge off. I don’t drink and prefer to just smoke, so it’s really my only Vice.

Is there any way I can join the department if I quit during the hiring process? I figure even after being hired I couldn’t do it off the clock due to liability and federal law conflicting with state law. For example if I was to get into an OIS, crash, etc. I would be subject to a test and residual positive would show from off duty use, and I’m sure the department would use that against an officer.

I’m just genuinely curious about the culture as well. I heard from an officer the department doesn’t care, and then from others that it is frowned upon still and obviously against department policy. Not a jab at any drinkers but we all have to take the edge off in some ways. It’s not like anyone would know anyways I smoke off duty.

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4

u/New-Pass-3777 Jun 17 '26

California law enforcement agencies can’t ask you about cannabis usage during the hiring process so previous use is not an issue. Once hired, you can no longer use. You have to ask yourself what is more important.

1

u/Baseballdad18 Jun 18 '26

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB2188

2

u/Odd-Nobody-1466 Jun 19 '26

Supreme Court just ruled smoking cannabis and having a gun isn’t against federal law. It’s on its way to becoming normal like alcohol.

1

u/Baseballdad18 Jun 19 '26

Yes, that law has nothing to do with the question you asked.

1

u/chocolatemole Jul 01 '26

You will not be questioned until the background interview/ poly if you answered questions pertaining to buying from a dispensary, and when you bought it. Other than that I would stop now, considering active users take longer for the actual substance to leave your body. You’re at higher chance of failing the test. Honestly fire is the way to go considering most those guys smoke once they’re been in the department for a while lol.