|
Post by njhope on Jan 12, 2010 17:46:13 GMT -5
Long time lurker and November hopeful, something came up here in NJ today I wanted to float by the board. As some of you east coast folks may have seen, NJ joined the ranks of states who have legalized medical marijuana use. As our federal employer will not be recognizing that law, I'm wondering if there is anyone out there from a state which has similarly legalized limited medical marijuana use who could weigh in on whether or not its possible to avail oneself of this means of relief and still serve as an ALJ? My initial reaction is that as a sitting ALJ, it would likely be career suicide to have ones name on a list of registered marijuana users, even if that list is supposedly confidential and excluded from the definition of "public records" in New Jersey. Thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by coloradoman on Jan 12, 2010 19:53:32 GMT -5
That would be a very good question to ask during your interview.
|
|
|
Post by privateatty on Jan 12, 2010 20:19:48 GMT -5
This raises a number of questions, some of which--actually most of which cannot be adequately addressed here.
It is mistake to view the ALJ Corps as a bunch of employees. Its easy to do at SSA--after all you have a management-union structure. But I can assure you that for the rest of us its a different equation. And what matters is what your reputation is amongst your peers. A rumor that you're a card-carrying legal pot smoker will ensure that you are just that and likely no more.
You wanna litigate it as a SSA ALJ? Heck you might win the battle but you will lose the war.
The best advice I ever got was ensure you stay under the radar.
|
|
|
Post by karaj on Jan 12, 2010 22:25:57 GMT -5
That would be a very good question to ask during your interview. Sorry Coloradoman. I disagree. NJ, please do not ask this Q at the interview. You will be dead in the water. I have worked at SSA for almost 25 years and it is still a very conservative agency. SSA is especially derisive in the hiring of individuals with any type of handicap/impairment, so I would guess that would apply to medical use of marijuana, legalization notwithstanding. I have not heard anything about random drug testing at SSA, but maybe some recent ALJ hires can enlighten us on this issue. In the meantime, I would think your medical info. could be protected from disclosure under Hippa or the Privacy Act. I agree with PA, and would stay under the radar.
|
|
|
Post by statman on Jan 12, 2010 23:23:35 GMT -5
Last I heard, pot was illegal under federal law and therefore, by the supremacy clause, in New Jersey also.
Is the State of New Jersey in rebellion?
If New Jersey is not in rebellion, then why does its legislature think that federal drugs law do not apply?
If you want to be a federal judge, I think you should contemplate taking your oath of office seriously.
|
|
|
Post by decadealj on Jan 13, 2010 8:01:00 GMT -5
Mr. Holder, the AG, has announced that DOJ will not enforce federal law as to medical use of weed in those states which have legalized it. I am not too sure that waiver would apply to a federal employees, which like it or not, we are.
|
|
|
Post by coloradoman on Jan 13, 2010 9:16:39 GMT -5
I intended for my earlier comment about asking the question to be a joke, as evidenced by the winking smiley face. I was just so astounded by the question presented.
Don't you dare ask a question about medical marijuana use at the interview. It would end your chances immediately. If you want to be a federal judge, you must comply with all federal laws; and marijuana use is still illegal under federal laws, even if the AG has announced plans to relax enforcement.
I agree with private attorney and PF. Stay under the radar on any controversial issues during your quest to be an ALJ.
|
|
|
Post by decadealj on Jan 13, 2010 12:16:14 GMT -5
It won't hurt to stay under the radar when you become an ALJ either.
|
|
|
Post by McLovin' on Jan 13, 2010 19:44:46 GMT -5
Steve McCroskey: Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines I use this quote all the time and I really have to stop because way too many people do not get the reference and think that I am really commenting about trying to break a habit. It's a really funny line, especially if it comes with great timing. Too bad the ALJ exam did not ask about my ability to use movie lines .
|
|
|
Post by hope on Jan 14, 2010 12:48:11 GMT -5
Steve McCroskey: Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines I use this quote all the time and I really have to stop because way too many people do not get the reference and think that I am really commenting about trying to break a habit. It's a really funny line, especially if it comes with great timing. Too bad the ALJ exam did not ask about my ability to use movie lines . I quote that movie all the time too--especially that line. That has to be one of the funniest movies ever!
|
|
|
Post by njhope on Jan 14, 2010 16:46:06 GMT -5
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. While I wasn't planning on showing up for my interview in a rastafarian hat, it was very interesting to see how this sort of issue went over with the good folks here on the board. Under the radar it is.
And Colorodo, I knew you were kidding.
|
|
|
Post by tricia on Jan 14, 2010 17:01:37 GMT -5
Agnes said: "I use this quote all the time and I really have to stop because way too many people do not get the reference and think that I am really commenting about trying to break a habit. It's a really funny line, especially if it comes with great timing. Too bad the ALJ exam did not ask about my ability to use movie lines." Agnes, when I was first a public defender, I was appearing before a judge I knew very well on a probation violation matter. I told him that my client was in a methadone program, and he asked if I had any proof of that. I went out to the hallway and asked my cleint if he had any proof. He handed me this bottle of pink liguid that was, sure enough, labeled Methadone. I came back to the judge's chambers where he was sitting with about ten prosecutors and ten PDs, and he asked me if I had the proof. I came up to his desk and showed him the bottle. He then quoted the well-known statement from the Woody Allen movie "Annie Hall", "I used to be a heroin addict and now I'm a methadone addict.". So I replied saying the next line "I'm into leather." I looked up to see a bunch of horrified attorneys. Apparently everyone hasn't seen "Annie Hall" as many times as I have.
|
|
|
Post by privateatty on Jan 14, 2010 18:15:50 GMT -5
Agnes said: "I use this quote all the time and I really have to stop because way too many people do not get the reference and think that I am really commenting about trying to break a habit. It's a really funny line, especially if it comes with great timing. Too bad the ALJ exam did not ask about my ability to use movie lines." Agnes, when I was first a public defender, I was appearing before a judge I knew very well on a probation violation matter. I told him that my client was in a methadone program, and he asked if I had any proof of that. I went out to the hallway and asked my cleint if he had any proof. He handed me this bottle of pink liguid that was, sure enough, labeled Methadone. I came back to the judge's chambers where he was sitting with about ten prosecutors and ten PDs, and he asked me if I had the proof. I came up to his desk and showed him the bottle. He then quoted the well-known statement from the Woody Allen movie "Annie Hall", "I used to be a heroin addict and now I'm a methadone addict.". So I replied saying the next line "I'm into leather." I looked up to see a bunch of horrified attorneys. Apparently everyone hasn't seen "Annie Hall" as many times as I have. This is a perfect example of why we should all bemoan the "new" 2007 testing and application procedures. An older Judge told me that in the 80's they would take the exam at a fed office (it was like a handwritten blue-book bar question) and then sit around with a bunch of good ol boys and talk fishin'. Telling them that you were into leather would be a plus for hiring, shows spunk. tricia, I knew you were cool, I just didn't know how much...
|
|
|
Post by tricia on Jan 14, 2010 18:36:28 GMT -5
Private attorney said: "An older Judge told me that in the 80's they would take the exam at a fed office (it was like a handwritten blue-book bar question) and then sit around with a bunch of good ol boys and talk fishin'. Telling them that you were into leather would be a plus for hiring, shows spunk." The only problem I have with the good ol ways with the good ol boys is that I wouldn't have been invited to the after-test festivities. They would have started after someone had politely escorted the women test-takers to the door. Then Private attorney said: "tricia, I knew you were cool, I just didn't know how much..." Thank you so much. It's incredible how well you can get to know people on a messageboard. I have a feeling that if I saw someone like you or Patriotsfan on the street, I'd think - that guy looks so familiar.
|
|
|
Post by privateatty on Jan 14, 2010 19:33:27 GMT -5
Private attorney said: "An older Judge told me that in the 80's they would take the exam at a fed office (it was like a handwritten blue-book bar question) and then sit around with a bunch of good ol boys and talk fishin'. Telling them that you were into leather would be a plus for hiring, shows spunk." The only problem I have with the good ol ways with the good ol boys is that I wouldn't have been invited to the after-test festivities. They would have started after someone had politely escorted the women test-takers to the door. Then Private attorney said: "tricia, I knew you were cool, I just didn't know how much..." Thank you so much. It's incredible how well you can get to know people on a messageboard. I have a feeling that if I saw someone like you or Patriotsfan on the street, I'd think - that guy looks so familiar. Aw, flattery will get you anywhere. But I don't agree with you that it was necessarily a boys only club of ALJs. I've met some retired and older women ALJs...tough ladies indeed. Probably wore leather in the 60's... ;D
|
|