The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has voted 12 to 10 to advance the nomination of Terrance Cole as the next administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), approving a nominee who has pledged to prioritize the agency’s ongoing review of marijuana’s federal status.
Cole, a former high-ranking DEA official with more than two decades of experience at the agency, was nominated by President Donald Trump earlier this year. His approval through committee comes as the DEA weighs whether to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The full Senate is expected to vote on Cole’s confirmation as soon as early June.
Speaking during his confirmation hearing, Cole told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee that the rescheduling review would be “one of my first priorities” once in office. Responding to a question from Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, Cole said, “I know the process has been delayed numerous times, and it’s time to move forward.”
While Cole stopped short of endorsing the proposed shift to Schedule III, he said he would examine the science, assess the administrative progress, and consult with experts before making a final determination.
He also expressed openness to addressing the federal-state divide on marijuana policy. In response to questioning from Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, Cole said he supports forming a working group to study the ongoing legal conflicts between federal law and the growing number of state-level marijuana legalization policies.
Cole previously served in DEA roles in Colombia, Afghanistan, Mexico, and the U.S., eventually becoming Chief of Global Operations before retiring from federal service. He later worked in the private sector and most recently served as Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
President Trump praised Cole’s law enforcement background and leadership credentials, calling him the right choice to “MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN” in a post announcing the nomination.
Once Cole is officially confirmed by the Senate, the focus turns to how quickly the DEA will act on the long-delayed rescheduling review—a decision that could have sweeping consequences for marijuana research, policy, and the industry nationwide.
