Pennsylvania Congressmember Tom Marino (R) will serve as the nation’s next Drug Czar.

Tom Marino.

Drug Czar is the unofficial but oft-used title for the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). As a member of Congress, Marino has consistently voted against marijuana policy reform legislation, even those that are simply medical marijuana related.

“We are disappointed but not at all surprised to hear a marijuana prohibitionist is being selected as the next drug czar”, says Robert Capecchi, director of federal policies for the Marijuana Policy Project. “After all, whoever fills the position is required by law to oppose any attempts to legalize the use of marijuana for any purpose.”

Marino continues; “Despite a steady stream of anti-marijuana drug czars over the past several decades; 28 states have legalized marijuana for medical use and eight states have enacted laws regulating it for adult use. We expect that trend to continue regardless of who the next drug czar is… President Trump repeatedly said he believes states should be able to determine their own marijuana policies; and the vast majority of Americans agree. We remain hopeful that the administration will respect state marijuana laws.”

Marino notes that; “It is also critical that Congress take action to ease the tension that exists between state and federal marijuana laws.”