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Following the short-lived candidacy of Matt Gaetz for US Attorney General in President elect Donald Trumps new cabinet, the outlooks for cannabis reform under the incoming government is now looking much more complex.
Last month, Business of Cannabis reported that controversial Congressman Gaetz, who has been largely supportive of cannabis reform throughout his political career, had been picked by Trump for the role of attorney general.
Just eight days after his selection was announced, Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration for the role, seeing former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi nominated for the post hours later.
Pam Bondi – Attorney General
Bondi, who served as Florida’s Attorney General from 2010 to 2018 and later worked in the Trump administration, has historically opposed cannabis legalization but supported regulated CBD use.
If confirmed by the Senate, Bondi would head up the Department of Justice during a critical period for the cannabis, seeing her oversee the landmark cannabis rescheduling project, which will see its preliminary hearing take place today, and pick a new leader of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
In 2014, Bondi challenged a medical cannabis bill in Florida and resisted access to smokable cannabis for patients in 2018. She did, however, back the emergency approval of Epidiolex.
During her tenure in the previous Trump cabinet, she served on the opioid crisis commission, and raised concerns of a potential link between cannabis and opiod abuse.
Investors have reacted cautiously, with cannabis stock values experiencing modest declines amid uncertainty over Bondi’s potential policies. Analysts note that Bondi’s focus as attorney general may center on the fentanyl crisis and border issues, leaving marijuana reform lower on the agenda.
Dave Weldon – Head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Last week, former Congressman Dave Weldon was nominated by Trump to lead the CDC, raising concern among the cannabis industry.
Weldon was a vocal and active opponent of cannabis reform during his career in Congress, spanning 1995 to 2009.
He voted five times against amendments designed to shield state medical cannabis programs from federal interference.
Weldon also endorsed a 1997 resolution opposing medical cannabis legalization, which argued that Schedule I substances like cannabis lacked valid scientific evidence of medical efficacy.
In a 2001 congressional hearing, Weldon described claims of cannabis’s medical value as ‘absurd’ and accused supporters of using cancer and AIDS patients as ‘props’ to push a pro-legalization agenda.
Weldon also perpetuated outdated narratives about cannabis, such as the gateway drug theory, and dismissed its potential therapeutic benefits, claiming a lack of credible global research.
Marty Makary – Head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Elsewhere, Trump has also selected surgeon and public medical commentator Dr Marty Makary to lead the FDA.
Makary is another vocal opponent of cannabis and has publicly raised concerns over the drug’s safety and potential societal impacts.
Unlike Weldon, Makary has acknowledged the therapeutic potential of cannabis. He has highlighted its benefits for patients with conditions such as Crohn’s disease and terminal cancer.
However, he has a history of opposing reforms related to adult-use cannabis. He has disputed claims that legalization curtails the illicit market, pointing to alleged cartel and organized crime activity in states where cannabis is legal.
Makary has also linked daily marijuana use to cardiovascular issues and questioned its impact on intelligence, citing studies that suggest cognitive declines in users.
If confirmed, Makary would oversee critical aspects of cannabis regulation. The FDA plays a central role in the drug rescheduling process, conducting scientific reviews that inform the HHS and the DEA.
While HHS Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a vocal supporter of cannabis reform, Makary’s opposition could influence the rulemaking process and complicate efforts for broader legalization.
As FDA commissioner, Makary would have substantial influence over federal cannabis policy, including the ongoing rescheduling process that could move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
Chad Chronister – DEA Administrator
This week, Trump announced that Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has secured his nomination as DEA Administrator.
Chronister’s position on cannabis is more balanced than many of the other nominees, having previously supported limited decriminalization of cannabis.
In 2020, Chronister backed Hillsborough County ordinance that treated possession of up to 20 grams of cannabis as a civil offense rather than a misdemeanor.
He praised the measure for allowing law enforcement to focus resources on violent offenders, emphasizing the importance of consistent enforcement throughout the county.
However, his involvement in endorsing figures like Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who opposed cannabis legalization, demonstrates alignment with more conservative positions on marijuana policy.
Chronister’s leadership will be pivotal in the rescheduling project.
“}]] Following the short-lived candidacy of Matt Gaetz for US Attorney General in President elect Donald Trumps new cabinet, the outlooks for cannabis reform under the incoming government is now looking Read More
