Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is calling for a major rethinking of federal drug policy, arguing that current laws restricting marijuana and psychedelics are outdated and out of step with modern science. Speaking during a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing, she criticized the federal drug scheduling system for classifying substances like cannabis, LSD, and MDMA as having no accepted medical use—despite growing evidence to the contrary.
Under the current framework of the Controlled Substances Act, Schedule I drugs are defined as having a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical value. Ocasio-Cortez argued that this classification not only misrepresents the scientific literature but also creates significant barriers to research. Experts testifying at the hearing agreed, noting that existing studies show potential therapeutic benefits for conditions such as PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
She also raised concerns about the broader consequences of strict scheduling policies, suggesting they have failed to reduce drug misuse while contributing to unintended harms. According to her remarks, the system can lead to a “whack-a-mole” effect, where banning one substance simply drives the emergence of new, often more dangerous alternatives in the illicit market.
Ocasio-Cortez further pointed out that criminal penalties tied to drug scheduling have not effectively curbed overdose rates, citing examples where stricter classifications coincided with increased harm. Instead of relying primarily on punitive measures, she argued that policymakers should focus more on prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies grounded in public health.
Her comments come amid ongoing federal discussions about marijuana rescheduling and broader drug policy reform. While there have been recent efforts to reconsider cannabis’s classification, it remains a Schedule I substance for now, and psychedelics face similar restrictions. Critics of the current system—including Ocasio-Cortez—say that without reform, the U.S. risks slowing medical progress and maintaining policies that no longer reflect scientific understanding.
Overall, the hearing highlighted a growing divide between longstanding federal drug laws and emerging research, with increasing pressure from lawmakers and experts to align policy with evidence rather than outdated assumptions.
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