The White House is exploring all options for rescheduling cannabis, according to Sara Carter, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Carter made the statement during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where she also emphasized the need for more research and data on the issue.
Carter did not explicitly endorse a proposed rule to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act, citing the potential conflict of interest in her new role. However, she acknowledged that cannabis rescheduling is a bipartisan issue and expressed support for medical cannabis.
Carter’s comments come as the Trump administration is expected to make a decision on the proposed rule in the coming weeks. The rule was signed off on by former Attorney General Merrick Garland after the Department of Health and Human Services conducted a scientific review and made the recommendation.
Carter’s nomination has raised concerns among advocates for cannabis reform, who worry that her confirmation could hinder efforts to reschedule the drug. However, Carter has expressed support for medical cannabis in the past and has said that she believes it can be a useful treatment option for certain conditions.
The confirmation hearing also highlighted the challenges of studying Schedule I drugs, including cannabis, due to federal restrictions. Booker acknowledged these restrictions and expressed hope that legislation could be passed to allow the ONDCP to study the impacts of cannabis legalization.
The Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act of 2025, introduced by Reps. Dina Titus and Ilhan Omar, would allow the ONDCP director to speak freely on cannabis reform and support research for Schedule I drugs. The act has been endorsed by the Congressional Cannabis Caucus and has gained bipartisan support.
Carter’s confirmation is expected to be a contentious issue, with some advocates for cannabis reform urging lawmakers to reject her nomination. However, Carter’s comments during the confirmation hearing suggest that she may be open to working with lawmakers to address the issue of cannabis rescheduling.
