How strict is immigration on past drug use?

[jessica.r.k 0]

Hi everyone.  So i'm trying to figure out how worried I should be here...  My husband has his medical and interview scheduled in London.  We noticed the form asks about past drug use.  Although he is not a habitual marijuana user he has used occasionally in his past.  He also has a police caution from his past for marijuana (probably 20 or so years ago) and we are also concerned his GP may have included something about marijuana use on his medical summary since he has admitted to his GP about occasional marijuana use.  Although we don't know that yet as we haven't yet received the medical summary.  

 

I have perused through visa journey looking for similar cases but most that I have found are from quite a few years ago so was hoping to get more up to date advice.  Does anyone know how strict are they on past occasional marijuana use?  Is it an automatic one year delay?  Or does it depend on the mood and opinion of the officer?  I hope we are not at risk for being denied over this.  Any advice, knowledge or experience would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!  

[Hypnos 6,579]

A one year delay is possible once the embassy finds out about his prior use - either from his doctor or from him directly. 

[Crazy Cat 42,757]

5 minutes ago, jessica.r.k said:

Any advice, knowledge or experience would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!  

Do not give in to any temptation to lie about past use.  Misrepresentation is a serious matter.  Good Luck.

[sunshinelove 52]

I don't know for sure but I don't think there would be significant consequences for a little marijuana use. I feel like there would be issues if the charges were for trafficking or selling or violent crimes and things of that nature. Though I don't know for sure, it makes sense to me that it wouldn't be a huge deal. 

[Crazy Cat 42,757]

19 minutes ago, sunshinelove said:

I don't know for sure but I don't think there would be significant consequences for a little marijuana use. I feel like there would be issues if the charges were for trafficking or selling or violent crimes and things of that nature. Though I don't know for sure, it makes sense to me that it wouldn't be a huge deal. 

There have been many cases here on VJ which resulted in a one year bans. That's a pretty significant consequence in my book.....although I'm sure it doesn't happen to everyone.

Edited March 11, 2018 by missileman

[sunshinelove 52]

Well I did state that I didn't know for sure. And that is a significant consequence but not as severe as a 3 or 10 year ban or not being allowed in ever. 

[Crazy Cat 42,757]

3 minutes ago, sunshinelove said:

Well I did state that I didn't know for sure. And that is a significant consequence but not as severe as a 3 or 10 year ban or not being allowed in ever. 

Agree.  I read that about 15 years ago, it would have meant lifetime ban.......hopefully, it will be no ban in the case of the OP....

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

6 hours ago, missileman said:

Do not give in to any temptation to lie about past use.  Misrepresentation is a serious matter.  Good Luck.

 

5 hours ago, sunshinelove said:

Well I did state that I didn't know for sure. And that is a significant consequence but not as severe as a 3 or 10 year ban or not being allowed in ever. 

The majority of the issue is when it is brought up as the use is being recent, and then tested for it. Once it shows up then it is a 1 year ban and then retested at the end of the ban. 

[Unlockable 7,316]

It is good that he didn't lie about it. Especially if he has a police caution about it. If he lies and immigration discovers it, he would be royally screwed. Talking about a permanent ban from the US.

 

Usually, the beneficiary is sent for pysch evaluation after discovery of drug use. During the interview, the officer will determine if and/or how long a ban will occur. Usually it is 1 year. During that time it is best that the beneficiary takes random, periodic drug tests. After the year is up, the beneficiary can continue with the case with the evidence that he/she remained clean during the ban.

 

Point being is that there can be serious consequences to past drug use even if it happened some time ago. But it is not the end of the world.

[kris&me 572]

it really is going to depend on his medical exam and what they see on criminal report

and he will be asked about past use and needs to answer truthfully

 

in our country they hand the client the envelpe to take to interview if the person has passed the medical 

they send it to the embassy if the person has failed the medical

[Boiler 46,418]

Make sure he takes proof of rehabilitation, what treatment has he had?

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Depends on if you think a one year ban or possible denial is significant.  Some do lol.

 

There are dozens and dozens of prior threads on this and it really has not changed much in recent years.  Marijuana is still illegal federally in the USA.  The decision of the embassy interviewer will depend on a number of factors such as length of use, amount of use, medical exam results, criminal record.  You can review my timeline as I have experience with this situation.  I would focus on the advice from others that have dealt with this exact situation from your same embassy, not speculative posts from those without first hand experience or knowledge.  Feel free to PM me if you want.

Good Luck!

Edited March 12, 2018 by LionessDeon

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

I know of two cases from two different embassies where past occasional marijuana use has not had any negative consequences for an immigrant visa, however to emphasize that neither of these were recent to the medicals or interviews. I recall periods of 5-10 years prior.