Trump’s Former Attorney General Pick Matt Gaetz Sparked Cannabis Industry Optimism
11/22/2024
President Donald Trump’s announcement of Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida as his nominee for U.S. Attorney General ignited mixed reactions across the political spectrum, with Democrats and some Republicans expressing outrage over the controversial choice. Gaetz, who resigned from his House seat shortly after the announcement, faced ongoing scrutiny due to allegations of misconduct, which he has consistently denied. While he has since withdrawn his name from consideration, his nomination initially sent waves of excitement through the cannabis community.
“Rep. Matt Gaetz is one of the most pro-cannabis Republicans on Capitol Hill," said David Culver, senior vice president of public affairs at the U.S. Cannabis Council. "By tapping him to serve as the nation's top law enforcement officer, President-elect Trump is signaling his commitment to make good on his campaign promises around cannabis reform."
Gaetz, a longtime advocate for marijuana reform, has a track record of supporting progressive cannabis policies. As a Florida state representative, he sponsored the first legislation to legalize medical marijuana in the state. In Congress, he championed several initiatives aimed at cannabis reform, including co-sponsoring the MORE Act to remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and advocating for ending cannabis testing in the military.
Despite opposing Florida’s Amendment 3, which sought to legalize recreational marijuana but failed to meet the required 60% approval threshold, Gaetz has pushed for federal and state-level marijuana reforms. His nomination as Attorney General has fueled speculation that the Trump administration may take significant steps toward federal cannabis reform, a prospect that excited industry leaders.
President Trump’s stance on marijuana has evolved, with his support for Amendment 3 in Florida and his openness to reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. The cannabis industry also hopes for progress on the SAFE Banking Act, which would open banking systems to marijuana businesses.
Industry leaders like Curaleaf’s Boris Jordan have amplified Gaetz’s pro-cannabis statements, seeing his potential appointment as a step toward aligning federal policies with state-legal marijuana markets. Advocates hoped that Gaetz would have issued new federal enforcement guidelines that respect state marijuana laws.
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“Rep. Matt Gaetz is one of the most pro-cannabis Republicans on Capitol Hill," said David Culver, senior vice president of public affairs at the U.S. Cannabis Council. "By tapping him to serve as the nation's top law enforcement officer, President-elect Trump is signaling his commitment to make good on his campaign promises around cannabis reform."
Gaetz, a longtime advocate for marijuana reform, has a track record of supporting progressive cannabis policies. As a Florida state representative, he sponsored the first legislation to legalize medical marijuana in the state. In Congress, he championed several initiatives aimed at cannabis reform, including co-sponsoring the MORE Act to remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and advocating for ending cannabis testing in the military.
Despite opposing Florida’s Amendment 3, which sought to legalize recreational marijuana but failed to meet the required 60% approval threshold, Gaetz has pushed for federal and state-level marijuana reforms. His nomination as Attorney General has fueled speculation that the Trump administration may take significant steps toward federal cannabis reform, a prospect that excited industry leaders.
President Trump’s stance on marijuana has evolved, with his support for Amendment 3 in Florida and his openness to reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. The cannabis industry also hopes for progress on the SAFE Banking Act, which would open banking systems to marijuana businesses.
Industry leaders like Curaleaf’s Boris Jordan have amplified Gaetz’s pro-cannabis statements, seeing his potential appointment as a step toward aligning federal policies with state-legal marijuana markets. Advocates hoped that Gaetz would have issued new federal enforcement guidelines that respect state marijuana laws.
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