Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Drug Enforcement Administration says reviewing the proposed federal rescheduling of marijuana would be among his first priorities if confirmed.
Terrance Cole, who appeared today before the Senate Judiciary Committee, said it’s “time to move forward” with the process, although he did stop short of officially endorsing the proposal to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
“If confirmed, it’ll be one of my first priorities when I arrive at DEA to see where we are in the administrative process,” said Cole in response to questions from Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). “I’m not familiar exactly where we are, but I know the process has been delayed numerous times, and it’s time to move forward.”
When asked directly if he supports the move to Schedule III, Cole said he first wants to understand the current status, evaluate the science, and consult with experts.
During questioning from Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cole also said he supports the creation of a working group to examine the ongoing conflict between federal and state marijuana laws, calling it a necessary step to “stay ahead of it.”
