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A new bill introduced in Congress could mark a significant shift in federal cannabis policy by repealing a decades-old rule that prevents the White House drug czar from endorsing marijuana legalization. If passed, the bill would open the door for federal officials to finally voice support for reform efforts without facing legal barriers.
Under current law, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)—commonly referred to as the “drug czar”—is legally prohibited from supporting any attempt to legalize Schedule I drugs like cannabis. This restriction was put in place during the height of the War on Drugs, effectively silencing the office from participating in discussions around reform even as public support for legalization has soared.
The new bill, introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), seeks to repeal what he called a “ludicrous” and outdated restriction. Blumenauer, a long-time cannabis advocate, argues that the ONDCP should be able to align its stance with evolving science, public opinion, and state-level legalization trends without being handcuffed by political legacy policies.
If the bill passes, it would mean that the White House’s top drug policy advisor could openly support cannabis legalization or related reforms based on evidence and best practices, rather than being forced to oppose them by default.
Supporters of the bill say it’s about common sense and honest policymaking. They point out that as 24 states have legalized adult-use cannabis and 38 have legalized medical marijuana, federal policies should reflect the new reality. Prohibiting top officials from speaking openly only delays needed reforms and damages public trust.
Opponents of the change worry that loosening restrictions could send the wrong message about drug use more broadly. However, advocates argue that open discussion based on research and real-world outcomes is exactly what’s needed to craft effective public health policy.
The move to repeal the restriction comes at a time of increasing momentum for federal cannabis reform, including the DEA’s ongoing review of cannabis scheduling and growing bipartisan support for measures like cannabis banking reform and veterans’ access to medical marijuana.
As the conversation around cannabis legalization becomes more mainstream, removing political muzzles from key federal officials could be a crucial step toward modernizing national drug policy.
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