Trump names Derek Maltz acting DEA chief, a «supporter of the war on drugs»

The appointment of Derek Maltz as interim head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Under the new Trump administration, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the upcoming reassessment of cannabis in the United States, and, more broadly, on the country's drug policy.

While Donald Trump has expressed openness to reclassifying cannabis, Derek Maltz's skepticism about this process is cause for concern.

Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, the leading pro-legalization advocacy group, commented on the appointment as follows: «The new acting administrator of the DEA is a longtime proponent of the war on drugs whose outdated views on cannabis are out of step with those of most Americans. At a time when most Americans are calling for long-overdue changes in federal cannabis policy, Derek Maltz embodies the policies and approaches that have failed in the past.».

Derek Maltz's Background on Cannabis

Derek Maltz, a former DEA agent with 28 years of service, is known for his work in combating international drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. During his career, he led operations against major cartels, including the capture of Joaquín «El Chapo» Guzmán.

His public comments and social media posts reveal fierce opposition to the legalization of cannabis and a critical view of the efforts by the Biden administration for reclassifying cannabis in federal legislation.

In May 2024, following the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) interim proposal to reclassify cannabis from the’Schedule I to the’annex III of the Controlled Substances Act (Controlled Substances Act), Maltz criticized the decision, arguing that it prioritized «politics over public safety.».

He accused the Justice Department of «hijacking» the DEA’s process, which has historically overseen decisions regarding drug classification. Derek Maltz emphasized the need for a scientific evaluation: «If there is scientific evidence to support this decision, so be it. But we must let the scientists evaluate it.».

Mr. Maltz has often expressed concerns about the potential negative effects of cannabis use on society. In 2022, he made a controversial connection between the «obsessive weed use" »and school shootings.".

With regard to the U.S. states that have legalized cannabis, Mr. Maltz asserts that these jurisdictions have become vulnerable to exploitation by criminal elements. According to him, the focus on cannabis legalization prevents authorities from addressing more urgent problems such as rising crime rates, homelessness, and fentanyl crisis.

An administration divided over the reclassification of cannabis

The process of reclassifying cannabis, launched under the Biden administration, has been fraught with political and administrative hurdles. While the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined in 2023 that cannabis had a «currently accepted medical use», the DEA expressed reservations about the methodology that underlay this decision. Former Attorney General Merrick Garland’s decision to approve the HHS recommendation circumvented the DEA, which further fueled Maltz's criticism.

While Donald Trump has publicly stated that he supports reclassifying cannabis, Mr. Maltz’s appointment signals a potential slowdown in the reclassification process. The the process is currently on hold Due to legal challenges alleging the DEA's bias, the timeline for a potential resolution remains uncertain.