Why didn't a misdemeanor show up on a background check if it wasn't dismissed?

How old is the candidate? If he was a minor four years ago, it might be sealed. Otherwise, it’s a matter of your background check not being thorough enough. Misdemeanors often get missed when whoever is doing the check doesn’t dig deep enough.

The bigger picture is this: does that infraction in any way affect his ability to the do the job today?

A bunch of states now have legal marijuana, and that requires paraphernalia of some sort of another. Why would your employer deny the hiring (if that’s what you plan to do) of this guy, for doing something minor illegal then, which is now legal and accepted?

Lol maybe because my job is at a religious university and he will be working with students. I don’t know lol. Personally, I would let him pass if it was 4 years ago, he’s graduating with a Master’s and held down a stable job for few years.

Were the crimes committed in a different state?

Is the State one where marijuana is now legal? A lot of those states had all records purged.

So he would have fared better if he’d lied?

Probably got rubber-stamped, because actually doing stuff is hard…..and stuff.