When pressed by two U.S. Senators, the nominee for White House top drug policy advisor Donald Trump avoided giving her opinion on medical cannabis and cannabis rescheduling.
Sara Carter, who was selected by the president to become the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy(ONDCP), said that she “would comply with all federal law and fulfill all statutory responsibilities”, if approved.
This week’s answers were in response to written questions (QFRs), which members of the Senate Judiciary Committee had sent to Senator Feinstein as a result of her testimony. nomination hearing The committee met on September 17.
“On an episode of your podcast, ‘The Sara Carter Show,’ you stated that you supported the legalization of medical marijuana,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., wrote in his QFR. “Specifically, you said, ‘cannabis for medicinal purposes and medical reasons is a fantastic way’ of managing cancer, other illnesses, and related side effects. When confirmed to be the director of ONDCP, will you fight for federal legalization of medical marijuana?
Durbin, the Senate Democratic Whip and Carter’s representative in November 2023, were referring to each other. podcastShe said that legalizing and monitoring cannabis was not a problem.
Carter responded to Durbin by writing, “If I am confirmed as Director, I will adhere to all federal laws and fulfill all statutory responsibilities for the ONDCP.” I will work closely with interagency officials to examine all evidence and facts as part of scheduling any policy or planning actions.
Durbin then asked her again if she was in favor of reclassifying cannabis. She gave the same answer as before.
Carter also answered questions from Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who asked about the cannabis rescheduling initiative that began under President Joe Biden’s administration. The former Attorney General Merrick garland had signed a proposal rule to change the classification of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act.
Booker stated in his Question and Answer Report that “as you know, the rescheduling of substances under the Controlled Substances Act begins with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) scientific evaluation and recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration” (DEA). The DEA, during the CSA rescheduling procedure’s existence, has never refused a HHS rescheduling recommendation.
What do you consider to be the best person for conducting scientific and medical assessments of drugs? Prosecutors or doctors and scientists?”
Carter repeated the previous answer to Booker.
As she stated in the hearing, “if confirmed, I would work with all interagency stakeholder to ensure a thorough examination of facts and evidence,” wrote She. Under the CSA scientists and doctors take a holistic approach to weighing potential benefits and risks of any substance. The HHS secretary then makes a recommendation for the Attorney General.
The HHS concluded in August 2023, after conducting its medical and scientific evaluations under Biden that cannabis is a low-abuse drug with presently accepted medical uses in the U.S. Recommended Reclassification as Schedule III. Garland endorsed the recommendation but under Anne Milgram’s former administration, the DEA never did.
For the last nine months, an official has stopped the current rescheduling. Interlocutory appeal A now retired DEA administrative judge granted the appeal. Milgram had asked him to oversee a fair, transparent and open hearing for both proponents and critics to discuss the merits the proposed rule. Two cannabis rescheduling advocates requested an interlocutory hearing, partly because the DEA was “hostile” to the proposed rule.
Terry Cole is the DEA Administrator under Trump. He was sworn into office on July 23. The agency has yet to make any progress in resuming the hearing. On Oct. 6, DEA lawyers submitted their third update for the 90 days. They stated that there has not been a briefing scheduled to deal with the interlocutory appel. It’s been nine months since any real progress was made.
In spite of Cole’s testimony, the lack of progress continues. Nomination hearing The DEA has been rescheduling marijuana since April.
Booker, who was aware that Cole hadn’t yet fulfilled his promise to Carter, pressed him further during the QFR.
If you were confirmed, do you think that DEA opinion would be more important than a recommendation for scheduling based on the scientific and medical evaluations of a particular drug by HHS? Booker asked.
Carter responded, “As I stated during the hearing, the process is under the CSA and if confirmed I will work closely with all interagency stakeholder to examine all the facts and evidence.”
Carter’s vague answers were to be expected. Carter’s vague responses were expected. You can restrict yourself to certain areas. This prevents the ONDCP supporting legalization of Schedule I drugs before U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves it. The ONDCP is also prohibited from funding or sponsoring any research related to adult or medical cannabis.
Dina Titus and Ilhan Oma, both Democrats from the U.S. House of Representatives, were introduced as they presented the bill. Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act 2025 Carter would be restricted from speaking freely about the cannabis reform issue until April, when this bill or another fix to legislation will have been passed.
Carter, Cole and Pam Bondi as Attorney General have also yet to give the American people any clear direction on how the cannabis redistribution question will develop in the lack of an official decision.
Trump You can tell them by clicking on the link In a press conference held at the White House on August 11, President Obama told the country that his administration will decide whether or not to move cannabis to Schedule III “within the next couple of weeks.” This timeline is now two months old.
Trump’s campaign for election began in earnest. Signal He said in September 2024 he was going to support the rescheduling of cannabis. During his press conference in August 2025, however, the President sent mixed messages.
“Some people like it. Trump declared, “Some people are against it.” Many people are against marijuana as it’s bad for kids and adults. We’re reclassifying, but we will make the decision over the coming weeks.
When pressed by two U.S. Senators, the nominee for White House top drug policy advisor Donald Trump avoided giving her opinion on medical cannabis and cannabis rescheduling.
Sara Carter is the President’s choice to lead the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. She has only stated that she will “fully comply with federal laws” and perform all statutory responsibilities if confirmed.
The answers published in this week were written responses to questions for the records (QFRs) by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee as a follow up to her nomination hearing The committee met on September 17.
“On an episode of your podcast, ‘The Sara Carter Show,’ you stated that you supported the legalization of medical marijuana,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., wrote in his QFR. “Specifically, you said, ‘cannabis for medicinal purposes and medical reasons is a fantastic way’ of managing cancer, other illnesses, and related side effects. When confirmed to be the director of ONDCP, will you fight for federal legalization of medical marijuana?
Durbin, the Senate Democratic Whip and Carter’s representative in November 2023, were referring to each other. podcastShe said that legalizing and monitoring cannabis was not a problem.
Carter responded to Durbin by writing, “If I am confirmed as Director, I will adhere to all federal laws and fulfill all statutory responsibilities for the ONDCP.” I will work closely with interagency officials to examine all evidence and facts as a part of scheduling any policy or planning actions.
Durbin then asked her again if she was in favor of reclassifying cannabis. She gave the same answer as before.
Carter was also questioned by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) about rescheduling proposals that were initiated during President Joe Biden’s administration. Former Attorney General Merrick G. Garland signed a proposal rule to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
Booker said in his response to the QFR: “As is well known, under the Controlled Substances Act the rescheduling begins after the Department of Health and Human Services conducts a science evaluation and submits a recommendation for the Drug Enforcement Administration.” The DEA, during the CSA rescheduling procedure’s existence, has never refused a HHS rescheduling recommendation.
What do you consider to be the best person for conducting scientific and medical assessments of drugs? Prosecutors or doctors and scientists?”
Carter repeated the previous answer to Booker.
She wrote: “As I stated during the hearing, should my confirmation be granted, I would work with relevant stakeholders from across all interagency agencies to examine all facts and proof.” Under the CSA scientists and doctors take a holistic approach to balancing the potential benefits and risks of any substance. The HHS secretary then makes a recommendation for the Attorney General.
In August 2023, HHS, under Biden’s leadership, determined that marijuana has a low potential for abuse and is currently used medically in the U.S. Recommended Reclassification as Schedule III. Garland endorsed Garland’s recommendation. However, the DEA under its former administrator Anne Milgram never backed it.
For the last nine months, an official has halted the current rescheduling. Interlocutory appeal The interlocutory appeal was granted by a retired DEA Administrative Law Judge, who Milgram tasked to ensure a fair hearing process that would allow both supporters and opponents of the rule proposal to argue its merits. Two cannabis rescheduling advocates requested an interlocutory hearing, partly because the DEA was “hostile” to the proposed rule.
Terry Cole was sworn-in as Trump’s DEA director on July 23, but the agency is still not making progress. DEA attorneys have submitted their third quarterly update to the Agency on October 6, stating that no schedule for briefings has been established to discuss the Interlocutory Appeal. It’s been nine months since any real progress was made.
The lack of progress is despite Cole’s testimony during Nomination hearing The DEA has been rescheduling marijuana since April.
Booker, who was aware that Cole hadn’t yet fulfilled his promise to Carter, pressed him further during the QFR.
Would you give more weight, if you are confirmed as a member of the DEA or HHS’s staff, to a schedule recommendation based on HHS’ scientific and medical assessment of a particular drug? Booker asked.
Carter replied, “As mentioned at the hearing I fully support the CSA process, and if I am confirmed I will be working with the relevant stakeholders of the interagency to make sure that all facts and information are examined.”
Carter’s vague answers were to be expected. Carter’s vague responses were expected. You can restrict yourself to certain areas. This prevents the ONDCP supporting legalization of Schedule I drugs before U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves it. The ONDCP is also prohibited from funding or sponsoring any research related to adult or medical cannabis.
Dina Titus and Ilhan Oma, both Democrats from the U.S. House of Representatives, were introduced as they presented the bill. Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act 2025 Carter will not be able to freely speak about cannabis reform until the April legislation is passed or another legal fix has been implemented.
Carter, Cole, and Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, have not yet provided any clarification to the American public on the direction that the cannabis rescheduling issue will take in the absence a top-down decision.
Trump You can tell them by clicking on the link In a press conference held at the White House on August 11, President Obama told the country that his administration will decide whether or not to move cannabis to Schedule III “within the next couple of weeks.” This timeline is now two months old.
Trump began his campaign before his election. Signal He said in September 2024 he was going to support the rescheduling of cannabis. In his August 2025 news conference, President Obama sent contradictory signals.
“Some people like it. Trump declared, “Some people are against it.” Some people dislike the idea of marijuana, because they believe it is bad for children and older people. We’re still looking into reclassification. And we will make a decision over the coming weeks.
Cannabis Law Resources in Poland
Discover essential legal information about the cultivation of cannabis, its sale, and regulations governing medical products in Poland. You can use these resources to learn about the requirements for certifications, permissions and compliance.
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Polish News Registration and Interests of Cannabis Businesses
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Permissions for Cannabis Sales in Poland
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Authorization for Importing or Manufacturing Medical Products
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Permission for Manufacturing or Importing Medical Products
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Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
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Registration of Medical Products in Poland