The newly appointed head of the DEA had pledged marijuana reform would top his list. That promise? Nowhere in sight.
Terrence Cole was expected to make waves in Washington. Sworn in just last week as the new Drug Enforcement Administration administrator, Cole had declared marijuana rescheduling would be “one of my first priorities.” That was back in April. But fast-forward to his first list of “strategic priorities” released this Friday, and cannabis is… missing. Totally.
Instead, Cole’s DEA says it’s laser-focused on cartels, fentanyl, crypto crime, and violent drug networks. Not a whisper about the ongoing federal debate over marijuana’s status under U.S. law — an issue that’s gained significant traction among both voters and lawmakers in recent years.
A Promise Made in Public, But Not Yet Kept
Cole’s confirmation hearing made headlines, mostly due to his clear answer on weed reform. When asked about the pending review of marijuana’s Schedule I classification — a move spearheaded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — Cole didn’t dodge. He told the Senate that reviewing the proposal would be right at the top of his to-do list.
And that meant something. Schedule I substances are deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. That puts marijuana in the same legal class as heroin, far above drugs like fentanyl and cocaine, both of which are listed as Schedule II.
Many advocates took Cole’s comments as a positive sign.
Then came the DEA’s “strategic priorities” press release on Friday. It lists 10 focus areas. Marijuana is not one of them.
What the DEA Is Focusing On Right Now
The agency’s announcement made one thing very clear: Cole wants to go after the cartels, and he wants to do it now.
The press release read: “Administrator Cole’s top priority is to increase the pressure on the drug cartels and combat the deadly drug crisis with urgency and resolve.”
Instead of cannabis, Cole’s DEA is turning its energy to a familiar roster of issues:
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Mexican cartel activities
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Synthetic opioids like fentanyl
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Drug-fueled violence in U.S. cities
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Cryptocurrency laundering
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Dark web drug markets
It’s a clear back-to-basics strategy. One focused on what the agency calls “immediate threats.” Marijuana, in contrast, is seen by some within federal law enforcement as a political and cultural battleground rather than an urgent public health crisis.
A Growing Gap Between Policy and Public Opinion
Here’s where it gets interesting. While the DEA leans hard into fentanyl and cartel crackdowns, public support for marijuana reform is at an all-time high. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center poll, 88% of Americans think marijuana should be legal in some form — with 59% backing full recreational legalisation.
Even President Biden’s administration has taken steps. HHS recommended reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III last year, citing medical use and reduced risk compared to harder substances.
That proposal is still sitting with the DEA. They have the final say on whether to enact the change.
Timeline of the Marijuana Rescheduling Process So Far
Let’s break down how long this has been going on:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct 2022 | President Biden directs agencies to review marijuana scheduling |
| Aug 2023 | HHS recommends rescheduling from Schedule I to III |
| April 2024 | Cole says rescheduling will be a priority in confirmation hearing |
| July 2025 | Cole sworn in as DEA Administrator |
| July 2025 | DEA releases strategic priorities — no mention of marijuana |
That’s nearly three years of waiting, with the public and several state governments growing increasingly impatient.
Critics Say the Silence Is Deafening
It didn’t take long for critics to respond to the omission. Advocacy groups and policy reformers were quick to point out the irony of promising action in April only to exclude it from the agency’s roadmap just months later.
“Marijuana reform isn’t just a political issue, it’s a justice issue,” said Sarah Roth, policy analyst at NORML. “To see it dropped from the DEA’s radar — after such a public pledge — is deeply disappointing.”
There’s concern, too, that federal inaction could stall progress in states where reform is ongoing. While 24 states have already legalised recreational marijuana, federal classification still creates issues for banking, taxation, and research.
Political Pressures and the 2024 Election Shadow
The decision — or indecision — around marijuana may also carry electoral weight.
As the U.S. heads into a heated 2024 election season, the Biden administration is keen to show progress on promises made in 2020. That includes reforming how marijuana is treated federally. So far, the White House has pardoned thousands for past simple marijuana possession charges and encouraged reclassification.
But critics warn that without DEA action, those efforts fall flat.
“Lip service doesn’t help patients, veterans, or businesses struggling under outdated laws,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), who has long advocated for full legalisation. “We need follow-through, not foot-dragging.”
At the same time, Republican lawmakers are divided. Some favour de-scheduling entirely. Others are digging in against what they call a “soft-on-drugs” agenda.
The Road Ahead: Still Murky
So, where does this leave things? The ball’s still in the DEA’s court.
Cole may revisit the issue later. It’s possible marijuana rescheduling just didn’t make the initial cut for public-facing priorities. That’s a generous take, but not an unreasonable one.
Still, advocates aren’t holding their breath.
They’ve seen this script before: public promises followed by bureaucratic stalling. And with Congress unlikely to pass comprehensive marijuana legislation anytime soon, the pressure on DEA leadership is only growing louder.
