- The Senate confirmed Sara Carter Bailey, who supports medical cannabis, as the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy director.
- The IRS rejected a cannabis tourism group's nonprofit status, citing federal criminalization and private benefit concerns.
- State developments include an Indiana legalization bill, a Virginia bill for patient use in hospitals, Florida legislation on open containers, and a Michigan wholesale tax lawsuit being allowed to proceed.
- Wisconsin's Assembly Speaker stated his chamber lacks the votes for a medical cannabis bill despite his support for limited reform.
- Ukraine approved quotas for medical cannabis production for 2026.

Trump’s New Drug Czar Voices Support for Medical Cannabis

Jan 7, 2026

Source:

Tom Angell

Marijuana Moment

There is a big shift happening at the federal level that every enthusiast should track. The Senate recently confirmed Sara Carter Bailey as the new drug czar, and she has a refreshing "fantastic" outlook on medical cannabis. This could finally signal a move away from the "War on Drugs" era. However, it is not all smooth sailing; the IRS just blocked a cannabis tourism group’s nonprofit status, proving federal prohibition still has teeth.

Across the states, the landscape is evolving. Indiana is considering a jump straight to legal possession and home grows, while Virginia is pushing for compassionate hospital access for the terminally ill. Meanwhile, Florida tokers should be wary of new legislation aimed at open containers in vehicles.

These developments matter because they highlight the tug-of-war between old-school prohibition and the modern green wave. Having a pro-cannabis voice leading national drug policy is a massive win for community visibility and could be the catalyst needed to streamline accessibility and banking for the industry we love.