This sector is enthusiastic about the idea of Matt Gaetz as attorney general
The attorney general nominee selected by the president-elect has been recognized as one of the most pro-cannabis lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
TroibNews 
One group expressing excitement over Donald Trump’s controversial selection for attorney general is the cannabis industry.
During Trump's first term, cannabis policy was characterized by opposition, leading the industry to fear that a second term could reverse the progress made under Biden’s administration or further target cannabis users and businesses. However, the nomination of Matt Gaetz has sparked optimism among industry stakeholders.
Few lawmakers are as vocal in their support for cannabis as Gaetz, prompting positive reactions from within the industry. "He's very vocal on this issue, and he's on our side,” remarked Boris Jordan, CEO of Curaleaf, America’s largest cannabis company. “Sometimes it takes an unpleasant person to get something radical done.”
Despite the fact that over half of Americans reside in states where recreational cannabis is legalized, the industry remains constrained by the absence of federal legalization and regulations. Challenges such as limited access to banking, high federal taxes, and restrictions on interstate commerce persist—issues that the Department of Justice has the capacity to address.
The Biden administration initiated efforts two years ago to relax federal restrictions on marijuana. The incoming Trump administration will either facilitate this process or hinder it, with the attorney general playing a crucial role. The industry was hoping for a leader less antagonistic than former attorneys general Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr.
“That bodes well for the industry and understanding that a solution needs to be brought to bear,” said former GOP Colorado Senator Cory Gardner, an advocate for federal cannabis policy reform during his tenure in Congress. Gardner noted his previous discussions on cannabis with Gaetz, describing him as “very knowledgeable [and] understood the issues at stake.”
Following Gaetz's nomination announcement on Wednesday, cannabis stocks surged, signaling the industry's optimism for potential policy reforms. This enthusiasm contrasts with the industry's recent disappointment in lawmakers after promising expectations for progress during the 2020 Democratic trifecta.
Legalization of recreational cannabis enjoys support from over 60 percent of the population, including nearly half of Republicans. However, despite bipartisan support for incremental legislation to facilitate cannabis businesses’ access to banking, notably with backing from Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, only a research bill has been passed during the four years of a Democratic-controlled Senate.
Trump notably shifted the conversation by advocating for Florida's marijuana legalization referendum—despite its failure—during this election cycle, leaving many in the cannabis community eager to see if his appointments would align with that viewpoint.
“The choice of Gaetz signals to me and many of my colleagues that [Trump is] going to follow through on his campaign promises,” stated David Culver of the U.S. Cannabis Council, a trade organization. “[Gaetz has] been involved in all the major pieces of cannabis reform that have surfaced over the years.”
However, reactions from cannabis proponents involved in criminal justice reform—many of whom spoke anonymously—were mixed. While the advocacy community traditionally leans progressive and has a complicated history with Gaetz, stemming from his association with figures linked to extremism, some advocates expressed a sense of conflicted optimism. “It’s horrible but great at the same damn time,” noted one legalization advocate, wishing to remain unnamed due to potential future collaborations with Gaetz. “We are gonna get EVERYTHING we want.”
Numerous advocates had previously been reluctant to discuss Gaetz's involvement in cannabis policy, and some had ceased meetings with him after a sex trafficking investigation was launched against him. Nonetheless, they acknowledged his legislative contributions, including advocating for cannabis use among active military personnel. Most of these advocates now recognize the potential for collaboration should Gaetz be confirmed as attorney general.
“He’s no longer one of 435 … he’s in a very prominent role,” one advocate highlighted. “A lot of this is very, very bad but in the narrow scope of drug policy, there might be room for making things better.”
Yet, Gaetz must navigate a challenging confirmation process. Anti-legalization factions are pointing to his prior vote against recreational legalization in Florida as an indication he may not be as supportive of the industry as some believe.
Gaetz expressed concerns about the Florida measure in April, stating, “it is done in the constitution, which becomes very rigid and difficult to change.”
Should Gaetz secure confirmation, the industry is hopeful he could advocate for more than simple rescheduling. Some anticipate he might reinstate protections established during the Obama era and initiate steps toward full cannabis decriminalization.
“That was the first good piece of news I got for cannabis in three years," Jordan shared regarding Gaetz's nomination.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
During Trump's first term, cannabis policy was characterized by opposition, leading the industry to fear that a second term could reverse the progress made under Biden’s administration or further target cannabis users and businesses. However, the nomination of Matt Gaetz has sparked optimism among industry stakeholders.
Few lawmakers are as vocal in their support for cannabis as Gaetz, prompting positive reactions from within the industry. "He's very vocal on this issue, and he's on our side,” remarked Boris Jordan, CEO of Curaleaf, America’s largest cannabis company. “Sometimes it takes an unpleasant person to get something radical done.”
Despite the fact that over half of Americans reside in states where recreational cannabis is legalized, the industry remains constrained by the absence of federal legalization and regulations. Challenges such as limited access to banking, high federal taxes, and restrictions on interstate commerce persist—issues that the Department of Justice has the capacity to address.
The Biden administration initiated efforts two years ago to relax federal restrictions on marijuana. The incoming Trump administration will either facilitate this process or hinder it, with the attorney general playing a crucial role. The industry was hoping for a leader less antagonistic than former attorneys general Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr.
“That bodes well for the industry and understanding that a solution needs to be brought to bear,” said former GOP Colorado Senator Cory Gardner, an advocate for federal cannabis policy reform during his tenure in Congress. Gardner noted his previous discussions on cannabis with Gaetz, describing him as “very knowledgeable [and] understood the issues at stake.”
Following Gaetz's nomination announcement on Wednesday, cannabis stocks surged, signaling the industry's optimism for potential policy reforms. This enthusiasm contrasts with the industry's recent disappointment in lawmakers after promising expectations for progress during the 2020 Democratic trifecta.
Legalization of recreational cannabis enjoys support from over 60 percent of the population, including nearly half of Republicans. However, despite bipartisan support for incremental legislation to facilitate cannabis businesses’ access to banking, notably with backing from Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, only a research bill has been passed during the four years of a Democratic-controlled Senate.
Trump notably shifted the conversation by advocating for Florida's marijuana legalization referendum—despite its failure—during this election cycle, leaving many in the cannabis community eager to see if his appointments would align with that viewpoint.
“The choice of Gaetz signals to me and many of my colleagues that [Trump is] going to follow through on his campaign promises,” stated David Culver of the U.S. Cannabis Council, a trade organization. “[Gaetz has] been involved in all the major pieces of cannabis reform that have surfaced over the years.”
However, reactions from cannabis proponents involved in criminal justice reform—many of whom spoke anonymously—were mixed. While the advocacy community traditionally leans progressive and has a complicated history with Gaetz, stemming from his association with figures linked to extremism, some advocates expressed a sense of conflicted optimism. “It’s horrible but great at the same damn time,” noted one legalization advocate, wishing to remain unnamed due to potential future collaborations with Gaetz. “We are gonna get EVERYTHING we want.”
Numerous advocates had previously been reluctant to discuss Gaetz's involvement in cannabis policy, and some had ceased meetings with him after a sex trafficking investigation was launched against him. Nonetheless, they acknowledged his legislative contributions, including advocating for cannabis use among active military personnel. Most of these advocates now recognize the potential for collaboration should Gaetz be confirmed as attorney general.
“He’s no longer one of 435 … he’s in a very prominent role,” one advocate highlighted. “A lot of this is very, very bad but in the narrow scope of drug policy, there might be room for making things better.”
Yet, Gaetz must navigate a challenging confirmation process. Anti-legalization factions are pointing to his prior vote against recreational legalization in Florida as an indication he may not be as supportive of the industry as some believe.
Gaetz expressed concerns about the Florida measure in April, stating, “it is done in the constitution, which becomes very rigid and difficult to change.”
Should Gaetz secure confirmation, the industry is hopeful he could advocate for more than simple rescheduling. Some anticipate he might reinstate protections established during the Obama era and initiate steps toward full cannabis decriminalization.
“That was the first good piece of news I got for cannabis in three years," Jordan shared regarding Gaetz's nomination.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
