The cannabis community has been waiting with bated breath to see movement on the federal level about plant policy. The Biden administration kickstarted efforts to potentially reclassify marijuana, but things stalled as the Trump administration arrived in Washington earlier this year. Trump’s pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Terrance Cole, pledged to make cannabis rescheduling one of his first orders of business, but a recent announcement suggests otherwise.
As first reported by Marijuana Moment, the topic of marijuana was nowhere to be seen on Cole’s list of “strategic priorities” released late last week. In a press release, the agency stated its focus is on “dismantling the Mexican cartels,” eradicating the chemical supply chain in the fentanyl trade, combating drug-related violence, and other non-cannabis-related topics.
“The cartels and Foreign Terrorist Organizations fueling this crisis are global in reach – and so is the DEA,” Cole said in the press release. “With the support of the Trump Administration, the Department of Justice, and our international, federal, state, local, and tribal partners, we will dismantle these violent cartels and make America Safe Again.”
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The full priority list is as follows, according to the release:
- Affirming DEA’s Commitment to Enforcement – targeting traffickers, removing poison from the streets of this country, and protecting the vulnerable.
- Dismantling the Mexican Cartels, which operate as terrorist organizations, by targeting and breaking their command, control, and distribution networks that drive the fentanyl crisis.
- Disrupting the Criminal Chemical Supply Chain that supply the chemical ingredients used in the manufacture of fentanyl.
- Reducing Drug-Fueled Violence in America’s most affected cities through expanded partnerships with state and local law enforcement.
- Following the Money – targeting illicit finance and the growing use of cryptocurrency.
- Leading the Fight on the Cyber and Dark Web Frontlines by targeting the digital pipelines that fuel drug trafficking.
- Strengthening Partnerships Across the Country and with Foreign Counterparts to drive coordinated enforcement efforts against transnational criminal organizations.
- Prioritizing the Wellness of DEA’s Workforce, recognizing that the agency’s greatest strength is its people.
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“It’s time to move forward…?”
When asked about cannabis rescheduling during his confirmation hearings, Cole said it will “be one of my first priorities.” He also stated, “It’s time to move forward.” However, the former DEA Special Agent refused to say how he would tackle the topic.
The cannabis community immediately began to speculate on Cole’s position on pot. Prior to his nomination to lead the DEA, Cole made anti-marijuana statements on social media. He also shared an agency blog post warning of the “dangers” of high-potency cannabis. Despite this, representatives from a major marijuana trade group expressed cautious optimism on Cole.
“We’re encouraged by President Trump’s nomination of Terry Cole to lead the DEA and his acknowledgement that cannabis rescheduling is something the administration will be looking at,” the group previously told GreenState. “We see this as a clear signal that the president is open to practical reforms that resonate with a broad swath of the American public.”
It is important to note that just because cannabis policy is omitted from the DEA’s current list of prerogatives does not mean it won’t be addressed. But whether it will be “first priority” (or tackled at all) as Cole previously promised remains to be seen.
