President Trump’s newly appointed DEA Administrator, Terrance Cole, has omitted cannabis rescheduling from his strategic priorities—a sharp pivot from earlier commitments and a potential delay in reform momentum.
Aggregate public and historical context from Reuters indicates that reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III—a move proposed under Biden’s administration—has stalled amid procedural roadblocks and shifting leadership priorities.
Despite telling the Senate Judiciary Committee in April that advancing rescheduling would be “one of my first priorities,” Cole’s list of eight strategic goals—released after his July 23 swearing-in—makes no mention of it.
Rescheduling in flux amid changes of leadership
The DEA’s Chief Administrative Law Judge, John Mulrooney II—who had overseen the cannabis rulemaking hearings—announced his retirement effective August 1. The rescheduling of hearings will continue without a presiding court, which further delays the timeline.
Reformers and industry concerned
Cannabis stakeholders say that Cole’s omission is a sign of waning federal interest. Cannabis companies, legal experts and other stakeholders claim the DEA has a recalcitrant stance towards rescheduling. The DEA cites process bias as well as a reluctance to allow pro-reform voices at hearings.
Delay opens door for opposition groups
Wall Street analysts and lawyers warn that anti-legalization groups like Smart Approaches to Marijuana may take advantage of these delays to stop reforms altogether. These groups have succeeded in lobbying Congress against banking reforms and scheduling efforts such as the SAFER Banking Act (or STATES Act) variants.
Rescheduling a meeting would have a significant impact on the schedule.
Moving cannabis to Schedule III could relieve tax burdens under IRC § 280E and expand federal recognition of medical use. Experts warn that simply rescheduling cannabis will not resolve conflicts between federal and state laws, limitations on interstate commerce, or bank exclusions.