Former DEA Official Who Claims Marijuana is a “Gateway Drug” May Lead Agency Under Trump
A former deputy administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who has previously described marijuana as a “gateway drug” is being considered to lead the agency under the newly inaugurated Trump administration. Jack Riley, who has received signals from Trump allies that he is being considered for the position, has a mixed record on marijuana issues.
Riley has expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts of marijuana legalization, citing increased social services costs, emergency room admissions, and car accidents in states where the drug is legal. He has also argued that the edibles and oils extracted from marijuana are “byproducts” of state-level legalization and could lead to a “slippery slope.”
However, Riley has also suggested that he believes there is a “big difference” between distribution and possession of marijuana, and that he does not view the latter offense as a priority for federal law enforcement. He has also expressed support for rescheduling marijuana to make it easier to use resources to combat other drugs.
Riley’s views on marijuana are at odds with those of many advocates and stakeholders, who argue that the drug is safer than other substances and should be legalized. His potential nomination to lead the DEA has sparked concerns among advocates, who worry that he may not prioritize marijuana reform.
Riley’s record on marijuana is not without controversy. In an interview with The Associated Press last year, he said that he remains convinced that marijuana is a “gateway drug” and that moving it to Schedule III could be a “positive” policy. However, he has also expressed support for rescheduling marijuana to make it easier to use resources to combat other drugs.
The DEA has been without a permanent administrator since Anne Milgram stepped down in January. Riley’s potential nomination would come as the agency is in the midst of a years-long rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana initiated under the Biden administration.
