Trump’s First Pick for Attorney General Says Marijuana Rescheduling is ‘On the Horizon’
Former Representative Matt Gaetz, who was initially chosen by President Donald Trump to become the next Attorney General, believes that meaningful marijuana reform is “on the horizon” under the current administration. Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, praised Trump’s leadership in supporting the rescheduling of marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug.
In an op-ed published in The Tampa Bay Times, Gaetz argued that moving marijuana to Schedule III would be a necessary step in the right direction. He claimed that the current classification of marijuana alongside heroin and LSD has hindered research, blocked access for patients, and burdened legitimate businesses with unnecessary regulations.
Gaetz, who resigned from Congress amid controversy, stated that Trump has long been a champion of cutting through bureaucratic red tape and that his support for rescheduling marijuana is another example of his commitment to commonsense reform. He believes that rescheduling would eliminate excessive tax burdens and allow legal operators to thrive, leading to increased investment and more access to marijuana for patients and veterans.
Gaetz’s op-ed did not mention that former President Joe Biden initiated the rescheduling review that led federal agencies to recommend the reclassification. While Trump endorsed the policy change during his 2024 campaign, he has not publicly discussed marijuana issues since taking office.
The promotion of Trump’s support for rescheduling comes as the current administrative process is delayed. A Drug Enforcement Administration judge postponed hearings on the proposal near the end of Biden’s term amid complications related to selected witnesses.
Advocates and stakeholders were encouraged when Trump picked Gaetz to lead the Justice Department, as an attorney general who proactively championed reform would have represented a major shift. However, Trump later chose former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to run the DOJ, and she declined to comment on how she would navigate key marijuana policy issues.
The fate of the rescheduling proposal remains uncertain, with Trump’s nominee to lead the DEA, Terrance Cole, having previously voiced concerns about the dangers of marijuana. Nevertheless, some industry circles believe that leveraging Trump’s stated support for rescheduling and framing the issue as a means to support veterans and patients could motivate the president to advocate for the reform from the Oval Office.
