President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, has expressed support for decriminalizing marijuana possession. Chronister praised a 2020 decision by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to treat possession of up to 20 grams of marijuana as a civil offense rather than a misdemeanor.
The announcement comes just days before a DEA administrative law judge hearing on the Biden administration’s proposal to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. Chronister’s nomination is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate over marijuana reform in the United States.
As sheriff, Chronister has been a vocal advocate for reforming marijuana laws. In 2020, he issued a press release praising the county commission’s decision to decriminalize marijuana possession, saying it would allow his office to focus on more serious crimes.
“I commend and thank Commissioner Les Miller and all of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners who worked with us to create fair enforcement and less financially burdensome penalties in regards to marijuana possession,” Chronister said. “Having consistent enforcement all throughout Hillsborough County is vital. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the city of Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City or in Unincorporated Hillsborough County, the same rules will now apply across the board.”
Chronister’s nomination to lead the DEA has been met with mixed reactions from marijuana reform advocates. While some have praised his support for decriminalization, others have expressed concerns about his past statements on marijuana use.
Trump’s administration has been criticized for its stance on marijuana reform, with some of his cabinet picks expressing skepticism about the drug. However, Chronister’s nomination suggests that the administration may be open to reforming marijuana laws.
The DEA’s rescheduling of marijuana is seen as a key step in the process of legalizing the drug. If the agency decides to reschedule marijuana, it could pave the way for more states to legalize the drug and for the federal government to reconsider its classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug.
The hearing on the DEA’s proposal to reschedule marijuana is scheduled to take place on December 1.
