White House Drug Czar Could Endorse Marijuana Legalization Under New Bill To Repeal Restriction

Democratic congressional lawmakers have announced the filing of a bill that would remove a restriction that’s prevented the White House drug czar from advocating for the legalization of marijuana or other Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

On Tuesday, Reps. Dina Titus and Ilhan Omar, co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, discussed the group’s legislative goals for marijuana reform, highlighting not only the introduction of their new bill but also the importance of bipartisan efforts aimed at ending federal prohibition in states where cannabis is legal and enabling the industry to gain access to essential banking services.

This legislation repeals a specific section (704(b)(12)) of the 1998 Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act.

General Purpose of the Act: The Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 deals with the policies and administration around drug control efforts at the national level. It outlines the responsibilities of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the development of the National Drug Control Strategy.

Section 704 (12)

(12) shall ensure that no Federal funds appropriated to the Office of National Drug Control Policy shall be expended for any study or contract relating to the legalization (for a medical use or any other use) of a substance listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) and take such actions as necessary to oppose any attempt to legalize the use of a substance (in any form) that–
(A) is listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812); and
(B) has not been approved for use for medical purposes by the Food and Drug Administration;

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