The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a new interim leader—and he’s no fan of marijuana, previously linking cannabis use to school shootings and repeatedly insisting that the Biden administration”hijacked” the rescheduling process from the agency for political purposes.
DEA announced Monday that Derek Maltz will serve as the acting administrator. Maltz retired in 2014 from the agency after 28 years service. It’s not clear if Maltz will be the nominee for President Donald Trump to lead DEA.
But for cannabis advocates and stakeholders, Maltz’s return to DEA for now—especially as anxieties around the fate of the ongoing marijuana rescheduling process grow—represents a troubling development.
Take a look below at Maltz’s position on marijuana:
One of the most controversial positions that the Acting Administration has adopted in the past is his apparent belief, expressed in 2022: “Obsessive Pot Smoking” can be associated with School Shooters.
The irresponsible politicians, who try to win votes through legalizing marijuana should perhaps understand the negative impacts of smoking that crap! He said.
Smoking marijuana has negative impacts. People rushing to ER’s and increased info on schools shooters connected to obsessive pot smoking.https://t.co/MQh0Xpq3rR
— Derek Maltz Sr (@derekmaltz_sr) October 22, 2022
Trump, himself in 2023, will also link “genetically modified” cannabis with mass shootings.
Maltz is particularly critical of marijuana rescheduling efforts, claiming Justice Department “hijacked’ the process when they advanced a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommendation to move Cannabis from Schedule I into Schedule III of Controlled Substances Act.
Historically, it was the DEA Administrator who signed off any changes in drug classification. In this case however, Merrick Garland then the Attorney General had approved the proposal.
It sure appears to me that DOJ prioritizes politics and votes above public safety and health! Last May, he made this statement.
When updated research shows that marijuana with high THC levels is associated with increased risks to health, it’s hard to understand why the DOJ would hijack an official process. @DEAHQ And interfere with the scientists’ ability to perform work that is crucial? It sure seems to me that DOJ has prioritized…
— Derek Maltz Sr (@derekmaltz_sr) May 16, 2024
The same month he also stated that it is “depressing to see DOJ interfere with DEA’s scientific review, which is necessary during the cannabis rescheduling processes. Especially seeing the recent news regarding the adverse health effects of high concentration THC marijuana.”
Maltz stated that “Votes shouldn’t be more important than Americans’ health,” adding that federal officials “should care more about the chemicals Chinese growers are using in their operations across the nation.”
He has regularly expressed concern about Chinese drug trafficking groups operating illegal marijuana operations in the U.S.
The false information that the @deahqs agreed to reclassify marijuana under federal law is being spread everywhere.
The DOJ’s manipulation of the scheduling process is a clear indication that POLITICS are being put above PUBLIC SAFETY. 🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸https://t.co/LaToWIYv1r
— Derek Maltz Sr (@derekmaltz_sr) May 2, 2024
Maltz, who has stated that “it’s crystal clear to me that Justice Department hijacked rescheduling processes, putting political agendas above public safety,” also said in the past that “if this decision is supported by scientific evidence, so be it.” You have to leave it up to the scientists.
It’s crystal clear to me that the Justice Department hijacked the rescheduling process, placing politics above public safety,” said Derek Maltz, a retired agent who once headed the DEA’s Special Operations Division.https://t.co/JKfEgot0Pd
— Derek Maltz Sr (@derekmaltz_sr) May 21, 2024
“The DEA stated that the average THC percentage, the psychoactive cannabis cannabinoid known to give users a “high”, has steadily been increasing, and it reached an “ALL-TIME HIGH!” In a post dated May last year, he stated that the average percentage of THC in marijuana (the psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for giving users a “high” feeling) has been steadily increasing and reached an ALL-TIME HIGH!
“It is also at the time when the Chinese criminals are setting up grow operations all across America!” Maltz said. The FBI director is also warning Americans that China poses the biggest national security risk to the USA. “Without border security, we won’t have any country!”
The DEA reported that THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana which gives users a feeling of “high”) has steadily increased and now reached a record high!
This is at the same time the CHINESE CRIMINALS ARE INVADING THE COUNTRY AT RECORD LEVELS…
— Derek Maltz Sr (@derekmaltz_sr) May 12, 2024
In an interview with Fox News, he said that in states where marijuana is legalized, the “bad guys” will take advantage of our vulnerabilities.
Maltz, after the Colorado attorney general renewed his request for federal marijuana rescheduling in early this month Maltz said that “the priority are out of place!! The official should be “focusing on the escalating crimes, homelessness, and historical fentanyl death in CO rather than worrying about marijuana!”
Colorado’s Attorney general is leading the charge for DEA to reschedule cannabis.
The priorities have again been messed up!! In Colorado, instead of worrying over pot, the AG needs to focus on homelessness, escalating crimes and the historic number of fentanyl-related deaths.
🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸 https://t.co/LhZBWC4za1— Derek Maltz Sr (@derekmaltz_sr) January 14, 2024
Maltz also criticised efforts to decriminalize other drugs. He called Oregon’s policy (which was later reversed), a “TOTAL FAITH” and an “IDIOTIC.”
He said, “I hope these other states realize their mistakes.”
Portland, Oregon is under a fentanyl state of emergency.
OREGON’S FIASCO WITH THIS DUMB IDEA! I hope that other states realize their mistakes👎👎👎👎
@Border911Live https://t.co/TXNDrIwMQU
— Derek Maltz Sr (@derekmaltz_sr) March 2, 2024
Maltz also criticised a 2019 court after they ruled that the proposed Philadelphia site for safe drug consumption could be operated lawfully. This decision was then overturned by higher-level courts. The initial decision, he said, “will support the Mexican Terror Cartels.”
“Blood in the pockets the evilest organizations of the world,” said he. Taxpayers do not realize that they are supporting terror. Wake up, Philadelphia.
Injection sites are now allowed in Philadelphia, which is a step that will support Mexican terrorist cartels. The blood money goes to the worst organizations on the planet. The taxpayers don’t know how much they are supporting terror. WAKE UP PHILLY🇺🇸 https://t.co/av3TYEaZ7B
— Derek Maltz Sr (@derekmaltz_sr) October 3, 2019
Jack Riley says he has been courted by the Trump Administration to possibly lead DEA. Maltz was announced as acting administrator. Riley described marijuana in the past as a “gateway drug.”
Any candidate who eventually assumes this position at the DEA will inherit a long-running rulemaking to reschedule cannabis, initiated by the Biden administration. Therefore, advocates and stakeholder are watching closely to see which person might take on the role.
For now, administrative hearings on the rescheduling proposal that were scheduled to begin on Tuesday have been delayed, with an agency judge recently granting an appeal motion from pro-reform witnesses that will set the clock back at least three months amid allegations of improper communications between DEA and rescheduling opponents and more.
Trump initially chose Hillsborough County, Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead DEA, but the prospective nominee—who strongly advocated for marijuana decriminalization—withdrew from consideration last month amid scrutiny from conservative lawmakers over the sheriff’s record on COVID-related public safety enforcement actions.
Meanwhile, Trump’s choice for U.S. attorney general, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R), is declining to say how she plans to navigate key marijuana policy issues—including the ongoing rescheduling process and renewing federal enforcement guidance—if she’s ultimately confirmed.
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Side Pocket Images. Photo by Chris Wallis.