Secret Service Discovers Marijuana and Cocaine at the White House

By Josh Christenson

July 13, 2023 | 7:38pm

The White House, the iconic residence of the President of the United States, has been hit with allegations of drug incidents. According to a spokesman for the Secret Service, small amounts of marijuana were found at the executive mansion twice in 2022. These incidents were in addition to the recent discovery of cocaine in the West Wing. No one was arrested in connection with the marijuana findings since the quantity seized did not meet the legal threshold for federal or local charges. The marijuana was confiscated and destroyed by officers.

The information regarding the marijuana incidents was disclosed by officials at the Secret Service to the House Oversight Committee during a closed-door briefing. Concerns were raised by Representative Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) about the repeated incidents of drug finds on the White House property during the Biden administration. Boebert questioned the individuals being allowed onto the premises and their true intentions.

This is not the first time drugs have been linked to the White House. In March 2021, five members of President Biden’s staff were fired for past marijuana use. One former staffer claimed that the White House’s cannabis policy was unfairly targeting younger staff and those from states where marijuana was legal. Despite the legalization of marijuana for recreational or medicinal use in Washington D.C. in 2015, its possession, sale, and use still remain illegal under federal law, which covers the White House and much of official Washington.

The Secret Service’s investigation into the cocaine discovery at the White House concluded after 11 days. However, the agency failed to identify the person responsible, leading to frustration among Republicans who suggested that larger forces were at play. The House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), accused the Biden administration of unequal justice, questioning how cocaine could be found in the highly secure White House with 24/7 security.

The Secret Service cited a lack of physical evidence as the reason for closing the investigation. Despite confirming that the substance found was cocaine, forensic testing by the FBI could not determine the presence of fingerprints or DNA on the small bag. The agency stated that without physical evidence, it was not possible to single out any individual from the hundreds who passed through the area where the cocaine was discovered.

The White House has faced increased scrutiny due to these drug incidents. The Secret Service’s failure to identify those responsible raises concerns about security measures and protocols within the executive mansion. It remains to be seen what actions will be taken to address these issues and prevent future drug incidents at the White House.