Cannabis Rescheduling Omitted from Cole’s Priorities, Raising Questions About Trump’s Stance

LOS ANGELES – In a surprising turn, newly appointed DEA administrator Terrance Cole has sidelined Cannabis rescheduling, despite pledging it as a top priority during his April 2025 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. According to a recent strategic priorities document released by Cole, Cannabis reform was conspicuously absent, leaving advocates and analysts questioning the administration’s direction on this pressing issue.

Cannabis reform aligns naturally with key priorities of Trump’s platform. As a states’ rights issue, the industry’s growth stems from states defying federal prohibition, a dynamic that resonates with Trump’s support for state autonomy. It’s an economic powerhouse, promising billions in jobs, tax revenue, and savings from reduced policing and incarceration, values Trump champions. Most powerfully, it’s a weapon against the opioid crisis tearing families apart, with states like Utah pointing to medical Cannabis as a path to healing. For Trump, who has railed against fentanyl and drug cartels, supporting Cannabis could be a triumphant stand, aligning compassion with strength.

With the 2026 midterms looming, Cannabis is a rallying cry, backed by a vast majority of voters eager for change. It’s a chance for Trump to steal the spotlight from Democrats and ignite his base with a cause that transcends party lines. His silence, then, feels like a missed opportunity, a wound to those who believed in his vision. His recent support for Joe Gruters, a passionate Cannabis advocate and Florida’s adult-use champion, as RNC chairman, offers a flicker of hope.

Was this a deliberate signal, or just another tease in the unpredictable world of Cannabis politics?

The omission of Cannabis rescheduling from Cole’s priorities raises doubts about whether the administration is awaiting clearer directives or rethinking its approach. As Viridian Capital Advisors notes, “there are absolutely zero rules” in Cannabis politics, leaving room for speculation but little certainty. For an industry built on state-level defiance and growing public support, the absence of federal action remains a critical hurdle.

The Cannabis community, battle-hardened yet ever hopeful, waits for Trump to act. Will he honor the promise of reform, lifting millions toward freedom and healing, or leave them in the shadows? The answer will define the policy and the trust of the Cannabis movement yearning for change.

Source: Viridian Capital Advisors