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President Donald Trump’s choice as the so-called White House drug czar has said that medical cannabis can be a “fantastic” treatment for seriously ill people, adding that she does not have a “problem” with cannabis legalization.
The president announced on March 28 that he had appointed journalist Sara Carter to serve as director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), which coordinates national drug policy across 19 federal agencies. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “As our next Drug Czar, Sara will lead the charge to protect our nation, and save our children from the scourge of drugs,” the New York Post reported.
Carter, a journalist and Fox News contributor known for her coverage of drug cartels, has often spoken about cannabis policy issues. While much of her reporting has focused on topics such as drug trafficking and illegal cannabis cultivation on federal lands, her pubic comments on how she feels personally about cannabis have been limited, according to a report from Marijuana Moment.
Last year, on an episode of her podcast, The Sara Carter Show, the president’s choice for the new White House drug czar indicated that she sees a difference between state-sanctioned and unregulated cannabis, adding that it can be a viable treatment for some patients.
“I don’t have any problem if it’s legalized and it’s monitored,” Carter said. “I mean, I may have my own issues of how I feel about that, but I do believe that cannabis for medicinal purposes and medical reasons is a fantastic way of handling—especially for people with cancer and other illnesses, you know—of handling the illness and the side effects of the medication and those illnesses. So I’m not saying we’ve gotta make it illegal.”
Carter has also shared stories about cannabis on social media without commentary, such as congressional and state cannabis legalization votes and Biden administration employees being fired for past cannabis use. Other topics she has shared include Democratic presidential candidates’ support for cannabis legalization, the advancement of legislation in Congress to give cannabis businesses access to banking services, and the legalization of cannabis cafes in Alaska.
Drug Czar Barred from Advocating for Legalization
Carter’s role as ONDCP director could be influenced by her apparent support for regulated medical cannabis. Under federal law, however, the White House drug czar is prohibited from advocating for the legalization of Schedule I drugs, including cannabis.
“The Director…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 812 of this title 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 812 of this title; and (B) has not been approved for use for medical purposes by the Food and Drug Administration.”
If Carter is confirmed by the Senate, she will become the second consecutive ONDCP director to express support for the medicinal use of cannabis. Rahul Gupta, White House drug czar under President Joseph Biden, previously oversaw the implementation of West Virginia’s medical cannabis program and served as a consultant to for regulated cannabis businesses.
The president has also indicated some support for cannabis policy reform. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump announced his support for Amendment 3, a Florida ballot measure to legalize recreational cannabis that had the support of a majority of the state’s voters but failed to reach the 60% threshold needed to pass.
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The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
