Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) congratulates Sara Carter Bailey on her confirmation by the Senate as director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
“Congratulations to Sara Carter Bailey on her confirmation as the drug czar,” said SAM President and CEO Kevin Sabet.
“Sara is a strong, clear-voiced advocate for sane public health policy. She has researched and written about drug issues for years as a prominent journalist and commentator covering key issues ranging from drug cartels to foreign-involved underground marijuana operations here in the US. As a mother of six, she understands the many risks drugs pose to children and families—and we hope this spurs her to bring a major focus on prevention and recovery, ideally via a national awareness campaign.
“The landscape of US drug policy has changed with lighting speed in just the past few months—Congress passed a federal ban on hemp-derived THC; President Trump has moved toward placing marijuana in Schedule III. America still faces a grave drug crisis: tens of thousands of overdoses; rampant drugged driving; marijuana-induced psychosis afflicting the young and vulnerable; millions of Americans suffering from substance-abuse disorder. That’s why we reiterate our call that the director of ONDCP should be elevated to the Cabinet-level status the position once enjoyed: our drug crisis demands nothing less.
“Director Bailey will see major opportunities not only to tackle these challenges, but to consolidate victories for public health to help families and communities across the country. We’re confident she will make every effort to push ahead with science, not politics, driving policy.”
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