The nominee to be the White House’s drug czar, Donald Trump told Senators that his administration will continue to keep “all options on the table” as it considers a proposal for marijuana rescheduling. He also described cannabis reform as being a bipartisan issue.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Sen. Cory Booker asked Sara Carter (also known as Sara Bailey) how she would counsel the President if he were to consider moving cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act(CSA) to Schedule III.
Booker said that Carter spoke about her support for the medical use of marijuana by 2023. Booker also stated that Congress held hearings with “military personnel who discussed its transformational impact” in treating post-traumatic anxiety disorder (PTSD).
Although the senator is in favor of ending the federal cannabis prohibition, he believes that the rescheduling plan initiated under the former President Joe Biden, and on which Trump stated last month that his final decision would be made imminently by him will be a step “in the right direction.”
It would at least be nice to finally recognize this. [cannabis has] “It would not only provide medical benefits but also allow scientists to investigate the short and long term health effects,” he added. This would enable more scientific studies. I am wondering how, if confirmed, you would inform the American president of the rescheduling processes.
Carter, nominated to be director of White House Office of National Drug Control Policy by Trump, said that she shared Booker’s passion about the subject, which she characterized in a “bipartisan” manner.
If confirmed, she stated that “I would comply with federal law and perform all statutory responsibilities” of the ONDCP. However, we’ll continue to do extensive research with data. “We will keep doing this and exploring all options.”
Cartr noted she had already met the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins. The administration agreed that “continued data and research that we would be providing, and on the basis of that data and research, we could continue to evaluate” was needed. This is vitally necessary.
Booker emphasized that the federal law prevents the ONDCP to promote the legalization Schedule I drugs, such as cannabis. This makes research on the substance “really hard.”
He said: “I’m hoping that as we collaborate across the aisle to create legislation that allows the ONDCP simply to analyze the effects, you might support this.”
Carter replied, “Absolutely. We will study this further.”
It is an evolving story that will be regularly updated.
Brian Shamblen is the photographer.