DOOBIE Act Up for Senate Committee Vote on Employment Rights

Senate Committee to Vote on ‘DOOBIE Act’ to End Cannabis Use Bias in Federal Hiring

A Senate committee is set to reschedule its vote next week on a pivotal bill aimed at modernizing federal employment practices concerning past marijuana use. The Dismantling Outdated Obstacles and Barriers to Individual Employment (DOOBIE) Act, which was initially slated for review in July, will now be considered by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), the committee chair and principal sponsor of the bill, emphasized the need for reform in a press release. “As we work to build a highly skilled federal workforce, it’s crucial that the federal government modernizes its hiring practices to reflect evolving laws and societal norms,” Peters said. “My bill will take the commonsense step to align federal statutes with existing agency guidance and ensure that talented individuals are not automatically disqualified from service solely due to past marijuana use.”

Key Provisions of the DOOBIE Act

The DOOBIE Act seeks to address discrimination based on prior marijuana use by federal agencies. Under the proposed legislation, agencies would be prohibited from using past marijuana consumption as the sole factor in employment suitability and security clearance determinations. Additionally, the White House Office of Personnel Management (OPM) would be required to adopt this policy.

The bill also mandates that federal agencies cannot deny security clearances or personal identity verification credentials based solely on an individual’s past marijuana use. The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) would be tasked with updating cannabis policies and assisting other agencies in implementing these changes.

Legislative Context and Previous Attempts

The DOOBIE Act mirrors the objectives of a bipartisan House bill introduced last year, which initially aimed to provide broader protections against employment discrimination for both past and current marijuana use. However, the bill was amended to focus solely on past use. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had previously assessed that bill, noting a “negligible” fiscal impact due to limitations in current federal record-keeping practices.

In 2022, similar efforts were made, including a Senate-approved measure to prevent intelligence agencies from denying security clearances based on past marijuana use. Another broader amendment, filed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), aimed to protect against employment discrimination across all federal departments but faced opposition and was ultimately scaled back.

Recent Developments and Broader Impact

The DOOBIE Act’s consideration comes in the wake of other federal legislative movements. For instance, the House approved the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a provision to prevent military branches from testing recruits for marijuana. Additionally, the Department of Defense (DOD) has begun issuing waivers for recruits who test positive for marijuana on their initial test.

Despite these advancements, other proposed reforms to prevent marijuana testing for job applicants in legal states have faced challenges. The House Rules Committee has blocked several proposed amendments that would have addressed these issues.

As the Senate committee prepares to review the DOOBIE Act, advocates and lawmakers are hopeful for a positive outcome. The bill represents a significant step toward aligning federal employment practices with evolving societal attitudes toward marijuana use. With continued legislative efforts and growing support, the DOOBIE Act could pave the way for a more equitable federal hiring process.

For more updates on cannabis legislation and policy, follow Marijuana Moment’s comprehensive tracking of cannabis, psychedelics, and drug policy bills.