National Drug Control Strategy

Former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf warned that Chinese criminal organizations are infiltrating the U.S. hemp industry, posing public health and national security risks. He cited Oklahoma as an example where these groups operate a majority of hemp and marijuana farms, leading to issues like human trafficking and money laundering.

Former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf warned that Chinese-linked actors and foreign criminal organizations are exploiting the U.S. hemp industry to distribute high-potency THC products, posing public health and national security risks. He cited evidence of these groups operating large-scale, unlicensed cultivation operations, particularly in Oklahoma, and linked them to broader criminal activities like human trafficking and money laundering.

The Trump administration's National Drug Control Strategy aims to bolster addiction services, but experts say it will be hampered by the administration's own actions, including mass layoffs and cuts to Medicaid. The strategy calls for making access to treatment easier and increasing support for people in recovery. Despite this, the administration's approach has been met with criticism due to its inconsistent funding priorities.