Now I know many many people have posted their concerns of using marijuana and how it will affect their chances of getting ts clearance, so I will try not to be monotonous during this post. I have not read any post concerning drug use and receiving security clearance from the STATE DEPARTMENT? If anyone knows anything about this department and marijuana use please post your knowledge.
Each agency/department is different with concerns to marijuana usage, but I have read conflicting reports when it comes to marijuana usage. For example, I read that a former agency (CIA) employer during her interview stage tested positive for marijuana and was still hired. (She admitted to her usage before hand).
Thus, I am lead to believe this area is now greyer in government (Besides FBI). All opinions are welcome.
You will need to fill out SF-86 for State.
See http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/SF-86/sf-86.pdf
This means that you will be asked for drug usage for the last 7 years or back until age 16, whichever is shorter. CIA and others take this back 10. Not sure about state.
State goes back ten years as well:
Please note that although the SF-86 asks for places you have lived and employment activity going back seven (7) years, in order to comply with investigative standards, we ask that you go back ten (10) years. Please use the continuation sheet below if necessary.
http://www.careers.state.gov/print/general/resources/forms.html