U.S. Senate Confirms Michael Botticelli As White House Drug Czar

U.S. Senate Confirms Michael Botticelli As White House Drug Czar

Interim drug czar Michael Botticelli has been confirmed by the United States Senate as the permanent holder of the position. Drug czar is the unofficial, though oft-cited, title for the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

Michael Botticelli recently made news by announcing that he supports Washington D.C.’s ability to spend its own funding implementing its own laws, even if that means legalizing the distribution of recreational cannabis. The announcement is in contrast to the majority opinion of Congress, which recently passed a spending bill that included a provision which blocks D.C. from spending any funding – federal or local – implementing the legalization of cannabis. The move by Congress doesn’t, however, effect the recent voter-approved legalization of cannabis possession and cultivation.

Unfortunately regardless of Botticelli’s personal opinions, he’s legally prohibited from supporting cannabis legalization.

Botticelli became sitting drug czar on March 7th, 2014, following Gil Kerlikowske’s confirmation as Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

– TheJointBlog