Cold War politics changed Anslinger's job in several ways. He attended more congressional hearings, enforced the new Narcotics Control Act, appeared on television, and contemplated a vice presidential run. 

Drugs appeared on and off the big screen in the 1940s. Anslinger met with Hollywood executives to discuss movie stars' drug misuse and how drugs were portrayed in films. He even starred in a motion picture while running the FBN as a fiscally responsible, no-nonsense boss. 

The 1930s was a dynamic decade for federal drug law enforcement. As head of the FBN, Anslinger petitioned states to adopt more uniform narcotics enforcement laws, targeted mafia bosses for the first time, and tackled doping in horse racing.