About Carl
Dr. Carl Hart is a globally recognized neuroscientist and a tenured Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Columbia University. He made history as the university’s first African-American tenured professor in the sciences. His work is fueled by his own experiences growing up in an impoverished neighborhood in Miami, where he saw firsthand how poverty and limited opportunities affect people’s lives, often leading to drug use and addiction. Carl conducts extensive research into the effects of psychoactive drugs on the human brain and behavior. Based on his scientific findings, he argues that many public beliefs about drugs and addiction are based on fear, not facts. He contends that addiction is far less common than people believe, and that drugs are often made a scapegoat for deeper issues like poverty, lack of education, and systemic racism. He is the author of two influential books: High Price and the 2020 book, Drug Use for Grown-Ups. In his work, Carl advocates for radical drug policy reform, including the full legalization of all drugs for adults. He argues that this approach would reduce crime, allow governments to regulate drugs safely, and encourage society to focus on providing resources and support, rather than punishment, to those who genuinely need help.
