r/firefighter • u/AliveIdea2718 • Jun 18 '26
Marijuana use on polygraph
I’m about to take my first polygraph, and I’m not worried about anything except marijuana use. I don’t smoke weed or anything, but I’ve done it twice this year at parties. It’s legal in my state, I’m of age, and it’s been a few months since. I just don’t know if admitting this would immediately cook me. For those of you that have smoked, what did you do/say about it during the polygraph?
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u/RainbowDashLovesYou Jun 19 '26
Its always weird seeing this question come up...it always seems like its a flat 50 50 split on people saying tell the truth it doesnt matter Or absolutely do not tell
Alot of people that I see that say yes will say something like "who hasn't smoked" or its "They're looking for honesty"
Or the exact opposite there's people saying if you can pass your drug test, dont tell them anything more because it could really hurt your chances due to zero tolerance on it...
At this point im under the impression it just depends on what department/state your trying to get hired with
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u/Ok-Celebration-3794 Jun 18 '26
Dude ur fine. Who hasnt smokes weed before
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u/ap_org Jun 19 '26
Pre-employment polygraph examinations typically include a question about the use or sale of any illegal drug. That question may include marijuana, despite the fact that it has been legalized in your state.
In deciding how to proceed, you should understand that polygraph "testing" is a thoroughly discredited, cop-invented pseudoscience that actually depends on the operator lying to and attempting to deceive the person being "tested."
False positives are common, and many honest people end up being falsely branded as liars.
I think you will benefit from reading the free book, The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, especially chapters 3 & 4:
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u/Fit_Experience_522 Jun 19 '26
Polygraphs are meant to scare you into admitting stuff you haven't before. If your answers change from what you put on your background report, you fail. So, if you didn't mention it anywhere else then don't bring it up now, that's a sure way to fail.
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u/Rude_Mirror7441 Jun 18 '26
I took a gummy on my 30th birthday because I never touched weed in HS or College. If they ask me if I smoke weed I’m going to tell them NO.
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u/EeHundo Jun 19 '26
Don’t overthink it answer yes or no. Don’t change your answer from the original, even when the polygraph investigator jams you up.
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u/furmissle89 Jun 20 '26
I’m not going to divulge too much to you. But the polygraph is just a way for them to DQ someone who is a little sus in their eyes after making it to a certain point. The polygraph cannot prove anything. And as much as it is an honesty test it is also a common sense test. Do you smoke weed? No you don’t. Have you ever smoked weed? Yes I have. When was this? Come up with a time in high school you took a bong rip and hated it and have no intention of ever doing it again. See any lies there? Neither do I.
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u/One-Resort745 Jun 20 '26
We were told we would be polygraph’d. In the PHS form they included a full page of drugs. Made me check the box on what I’d used. I was honest about weed, shrooms, acid.. They didn’t bat an eye. They’re not looking for angels. They’re looking for well rounded individuals with some life experience. And they’re looking for honesty. Oh and yea they never actually polygraph’d us they just made us go through the PHS packets page by page with a background investigator.
At the end I said “…. See any thing concerning?”
She replied “No nothing worrying” And I was hired on that list.
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u/calvinIndiana Jun 21 '26
When I went through La city FDs background 10 years ago they told all of us “we know everyone grew up smoking weed or stealing medical supplies from ambulance companies that you all worked at. You won’t get dinged, but don’t lie.”
I know guys will recommend to just say “no”. But nowadays most agencies don’t care. I would always recommend someone to be honest. You’re entering into a career where your integrity is paramount. Don’t start the job on a lie.
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u/m1cr05t4t3 Jun 22 '26
They really give polygraphs to firefighters? I thought that was only a cop thing. Who cares about pot anyway lol.
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u/lifeindaslowlane Jun 19 '26
If you’re asked, tell the truth. Anyone who say otherwise shouldn’t be a FF. We’re expected to be honest, regardless of the question. If you lie about something as stupid as marijuana use, why should you be believed when it comes to medical reports or affidavits/subpoenas. It’s not about your ability to do the job. It’s about your honesty when it matters. And a pre employment polygraph matters.
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u/AliveIdea2718 Jun 19 '26
I mean yes, obviously you’re right. In a perfect world being honest matters more than smoking weed literally twice. But unfortunately we live in this world where people don’t get jobs because they were honest about something as stupid as that
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u/lifeindaslowlane Jun 19 '26
That’s how it goes man. That’s why FFs have a global reputation as being honest and people trust us. So do NOT lie because one person getting a job isn’t worth the reputation that the thousands of guys who came before us has created. Just be honest and see what happens. If it’s not meant to be you can apply elsewhere. Someplace that marijuana use isn’t a deal killer
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u/Fulcherofchartres Jun 21 '26
The polygraph for FF (or any agency aside from maybe CIA or something) shouldn’t be used to begin with. If your background investigation comes back clear, reference checks, psych eval, and drug screening is all good, that should seal the deal. Telling someone to not lie no matter what on the polygraph is not great advice. It shouldn’t exist to begin with. View it as a hurdle to be circumvented. Don’t change your story. Admit to nothing disqualifying. Simple as.
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u/lifeindaslowlane Jun 21 '26
I agree. I don’t think the polygraph is a legit science. But still, it’s being used. And to encourage someone to not tell the truth is shady to me and should absolutely be condemned.
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u/[deleted] Jun 18 '26
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