Cole’s extensive law enforcement background includes over two decades with the DEA, during which he held positions such as special agent in Oklahoma, Colombia, and Afghanistan, as well as chief of staff and executive officer in Washington, D.C. Most recently, he served as Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, overseeing 11 public safety agencies and more than 19,000 employees.
The cannabis industry and reform advocates have expressed cautious optimism regarding Cole’s nomination. While Cole’s law enforcement credentials suggest a traditional approach to drug policy, his commitment to prioritizing the cannabis rescheduling review offers a potential avenue for progress.
The rescheduling process, initiated under the Biden administration, aims to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance, acknowledging its medical uses and lower potential for abuse. Such a change would have significant implications, including easing research restrictions and reducing tax burdens for cannabis businesses.
However, the process has faced obstacles. An interlocutory appeal granted by DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge John J. Mulrooney II has stalled proceedings, with the hearing process currently on hold pending further administrative decisions.
President Trump has publicly expressed support for reclassifying cannabis to Schedule III, emphasizing the need for research into its medical applications. During his 2024 campaign, he stated, “As president, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug.”
Despite this, internal divisions within the administration persist. Acting DEA Administrator Derek Maltz, appointed shortly after Trump’s inauguration, has voiced skepticism about the rescheduling effort, suggesting that political motivations may be overshadowing public safety concerns.
Furthermore, Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, has refrained from taking a clear stance on cannabis rescheduling. During her confirmation hearings, she stated she would give “careful consideration after consulting with appropriate Department officials,” leaving her position ambiguous.
As the Senate prepares to consider Cole’s nomination, stakeholders across the political and industry spectrum will be closely monitoring developments. Cole’s leadership could play a crucial role in determining the trajectory of federal cannabis policy, balancing law enforcement priorities with evolving public attitudes and scientific research.
The outcome of this nomination and the subsequent actions taken by the DEA will have far-reaching implications for the cannabis industry, medical research, and federal drug policy reform.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
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