Understanding the Trump Administration’s Stance on Cannabis and Hemp Policy

By Charles Alovisetti

Apr 16, 2025

The legal status of cannabis and hemp in the United States remains uncertain, which makes the executive branch’s policy stance on these issues extremely pertinent to the future of these industries. Cannabis remains federally illegal as a Schedule I substance, and hemp operates under a Farm Bill that requires reauthorization every five years, so the executive branch’s policy stance is of the utmost importance. The cannabis industry has always had an uncertain future, and now it has become increasingly difficult to predict what lies ahead due to the volatility of the Trump Administration.

Two Perspectives on Trump’s Approach to Cannabis and Hemp

Within the industry, there are two principal schools of thought about how the Trump Administration will approach the hemp and cannabis industries. The first relies on the personnel appointments, while the second draws from Trump's campaign statements:

“Personnel Is Policy”: The first perspective is the principle that "personnel is policy." According to this view, we can anticipate the administration's direction by examining who holds key positions that influence cannabis and hemp regulation and by evaluating their prior opinions and actions.
“What Trump Says”: The second perspective is that Trump drives his administration and that we should take his campaign positions seriously, regardless of whether we agree with them. According to this view, Trump's statements and priorities matter more than those of his appointees. Of course, this approach highlights a problem: Trump's campaign promises often conflict. For example, he pledged to increase tariffs while also promising to reduce inflation.

Where Trump’s Key Appointees Stand on Cannabis Policy

Following the first perspective, that “personnel is policy,” it’s important to understand Trump’s key appointees and their views:

Matt Gaetz (Attorney General—Nomination Withdrawn): While he publicly opposed Florida’s adult-use legalization ballot measure, he has historically supported cannabis reform, including federal legislation to protect state-legal marijuana businesses from federal interference. Though his nomination has since been withdrawn, his potential appointment signaled the possibility of a continued federalist approach to cannabis regulation.
Pam Bondi (Attorney General – Appointed): Throughout her career, Pam Bondi has maintained a firm stance against cannabis reform. While serving as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, she frequently pushed back against efforts to legalize medical marijuana. In 2014, she sought to block a proposed constitutional amendment from reaching the ballot, claiming the measure’s wording was deceptive and might open the door to broader marijuana use.
Doug Collins (Secretary of Veterans Affairs): Doug Collins has not taken a clear stance on cannabis policy, historically voting against medical cannabis access for military veterans but also advocating for a bipartisan bill that would have protected state marijuana programs from federal interference. It is likely that he will face pressure from veteran advocacy groups that support expanded access to medical marijuana and related research.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Secretary of Health and Human Services): Advocates for plant medicine reform, including psychedelics, have praised Robert F. Kennedy's appointment, suggesting potential openness to broader drug policy changes within HHS. However, some of his recent statements have raised concerns among reform advocates.
Dr. Martin A. Makary (Commissioner of the FDA): Dr. Marty Makary has expressed critical views on cannabis, highlighting potential health risks associated with its use. In his book Blind Spots, he questions the prevailing belief in marijuana's safety, particularly for young individuals, and raises concerns about its potential role as a gateway drug. Additionally, in February 2024, Makary referenced a study linking chronic marijuana use to cardiovascular disease, cautioning that "weed is not as safe as many people think."
Brooke L. Rollins (Secretary of Agriculture): Brooke Rollins has not made specific statements on hemp or cannabis. However, the USDA continues to confront significant regulatory challenges in the hemp industry—especially around defining "intoxicating cannabinoids" and managing market volatility. Her broader agenda of revitalizing rural America and supporting farmers could align with efforts to stabilize hemp markets.
Terrance C. Cole (Nominee – DEA Administrator): Known for his tough stance on drug enforcement, Cole has voiced concern about high-potency marijuana and its associated health risks. His nomination suggests a continuation of strict federal oversight and limited support for reform.
Derek S. Maltz (Acting DEA Administrator): Derek Maltz vocally opposes cannabis reform and has not endorsed rescheduling. His focus remains on drug trafficking enforcement rather than on evolving cannabis policy.

Key Cannabis-Related Campaign Statements from President Trump

On Decriminalization and Florida’s Amendment 3

“As we legalize it, I start to agree a lot more because, you know, it’s being legalized all over the country. Florida has something coming up. I’ll be making a statement about that fairly soon.” (Press Conference)

"As we legalize it throughout the country—whether that's a good thing or a bad thing—it's tough to have people all over the jails that are in jail right now for something legal. So I think obviously there’s a lot of sentiment to doing that.” (Press Conference)

“As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November.” (Truth Social)

“Whether people like it or not, this [Amendment 3] will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly.” (Truth Social)

“We need the State Legislature to responsibly create laws that prohibit the use of it in public spaces, so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat run Cities.” (Truth Social)

On Cannabis Rescheduling and Federal Policy

“I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use.” (Truth Social)

“As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens.” (Truth Social)

On Intoxicating Hemp

Trump has not made direct statements about “intoxicating hemp” or industrial hemp. However, his administration and campaign have addressed related topics tangentially, especially in the context of broader cannabis and cannabinoid regulation.

What Comes Next for the Cannabis Industry?

Ultimately, how you interpret the future of federal cannabis and hemp policy depends on which analytical lens you adopt. If you subscribe to the “personnel is policy” view, the outlook appears bleak, with the possible exception of RFK Jr., whose recent comments have tempered early optimism. However, if you believe that Trump's campaign vision will set the tone, there may be room for cautious optimism.

On April 4, 2025, the White House announced that cannabis rescheduling was not among its first-year priorities. While this doesn’t prove anything definitively, it does confirm that legalization is not high on the administration’s immediate agenda. At the same time, this development is not necessarily negative—it simply reinforces the reality that progress will require ongoing advocacy and political engagement.

The cannabis industry must continue working to persuade the Trump Administration and its appointees that a regulated, legal cannabis market better serves the United States. There's no longer any question about whether people will continue using cannabis and intoxicating THC products—they already do. The real issue is whether international cartels or licensed, regulated businesses will handle those sales. Like it or not, President Trump will shape that choice.

Cannabis rescheduling resources from Vicente LLP

Watch - Cannabis Rescheduling: Implications & Next Steps
Watch – Cannabis Rescheduling: Timeline, Tax Strategies and 280E
Read – Archive: Rescheduling Cannabis

If you are interested in supporting scheduling reform or would like to discuss how rescheduling may affect your business, please contact us.