A key ally of former President Donald Trump, who now lobbies for the cannabis industry, predicts that significant strides will be made in marijuana policy during Trump’s second term, though full legalization remains a distant goal.
Bryan Lanza, a former adviser to Trump during his transition to the presidency and his 2024 campaign, shared his insights about the future of cannabis policy in an interview with Insider Cannabis. Lanza, who now works as a lobbyist with Mercury Public Affairs and represents the U.S. Cannabis Council, emphasized the opportunity to address crucial marijuana issues like rescheduling and banking access in the next four years. However, he cautioned that the path to full federal legalization would take longer than the next presidential term.
A New Path Forward for Federal Marijuana Policy
During Trump’s 2024 campaign, the former president surprised many by voicing support for marijuana rescheduling, banking access for the cannabis industry, and even a failed adult-use legalization ballot initiative in Florida. These positions, Lanza argues, reflect a new opportunity for cannabis reform under a second Trump administration.
While Lanza is optimistic about potential reform, he remains realistic about the pace of progress. “Four years is not long enough to accomplish all the goals we need to do in the cannabis space,” he said. “But I think it’s a good enough window to deal with a lot of the issues President Trump talked about.” His focus is on a narrow but important range of actions, specifically rescheduling marijuana at the federal level and resolving issues surrounding banking access for the cannabis industry.
Rescheduling Marijuana: A Work in Progress
Lanza believes that marijuana rescheduling, a key part of President Joe Biden’s ongoing efforts, could see significant progress in the coming months. He expects the rulemaking process, which began under Biden’s administration, to be completed by February or March. While Lanza acknowledges that the process is ambitious, especially with administrative hearings and testimony scheduled for early 2024, he remains hopeful about its outcome.
This reform, Lanza suggests, could serve as the first step toward broader changes in cannabis policy. With rescheduling, cannabis could shift from its current status as a Schedule I controlled substance to a lower classification, which would open the door for greater research and accessibility. While this step would not end prohibition, it would signify a significant change in the federal approach to marijuana.
Banking Reform: A Likely Victory in the Next Four Years
Beyond rescheduling, Lanza sees banking reform as another major victory within reach. The cannabis industry has long struggled with limited access to banking services due to the federal illegality of marijuana. Lanza believes that under the new administration, there is a strong possibility that banking reforms will be enacted, though this would likely require Congressional action.
“It’s likely that Congress will need to be the one to push banking and medical cannabis regulations forward,” Lanza explained. The obstacles, including opposition from certain sectors like Big Pharma, are significant but not insurmountable, he argued. With a strong, unified push from cannabis advocates and stakeholders, Lanza is hopeful that progress can be made in the next four years.
Legalization: A Long-Term Goal
Despite the optimism around rescheduling and banking, Lanza is more cautious when it comes to the possibility of full federal marijuana legalization. While Trump’s support for rescheduling and banking is a positive step, Lanza believes that full legalization is unlikely to be accomplished during the next presidential term.
“Four years is not long enough to accomplish all the goals we need to do in the cannabis space,” Lanza said. He emphasized that achieving full legalization would require substantial legislative efforts and widespread support, which may take longer than one term in office.
However, Lanza remains hopeful that the groundwork laid in the coming years will make federal legalization more achievable in the future. He points to Trump’s comfort with medical cannabis and his receptiveness to the views of military veterans and athletes who benefit from cannabis use as signs that the president is open to continued reform.
A Unified Front: The Key to Success
Lanza’s overarching message to cannabis advocates is the importance of unity. He warned that if stakeholders within the industry remain divided, they risk missing out on the opportunity to push forward meaningful reform. “If you splinter off and you have too many different voices going in too many directions, I guarantee you that is a recipe for failure,” Lanza said.
He pointed out that Trump’s administration offers a clear pathway for reform, but it will require a concerted effort from all sides to bring about meaningful change. “Trump is giving you his roadmap,” Lanza concluded, urging industry leaders to rally around the president’s positions to maximize the chances of success.
Looking Ahead: Potential Mergers and Strengthening the Industry’s Message
In addition to these policy discussions, Lanza also hinted at a potential merger between two influential cannabis associations, which could further strengthen the industry’s ability to advocate for reform. While he did not name the associations, he suggested that such a move would lead to a more unified front with greater resources and a stronger message.
As the cannabis industry looks toward the future, Lanza’s insights offer a mix of optimism and realism. While significant reform is on the horizon, it will require persistence and unity from both the industry and lawmakers to turn Trump’s cannabis policies into lasting change.
