Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is renewing his call for marijuana reform, arguing that if former President Donald Trump follows through on rescheduling the drug, “the game is over for Democrats at the ballot box.”
Gaetz, who was briefly Trump’s pick for U.S. attorney general before withdrawing from consideration, dedicated a large portion of his One America News program on Monday to criticizing federal cannabis laws. He called the current classification of marijuana as a Schedule I substance—alongside heroin and above fentanyl—“ridiculous” and out of touch.
“If there’s one thing Americans love more than low gas prices and a secure border, it’s making sure our laws at least make actual sense in the decade in which we live,” Gaetz said, noting that under the Biden-initiated proposal now before the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), marijuana could be moved to Schedule III. That would not legalize cannabis but would expand research opportunities and allow licensed businesses access to banking.
“Half the country already has legal access under state law,” Gaetz added. “Even in red states, dispensaries look like Apple stores. Meanwhile, Uncle Sam pretends it’s still a cartel product smuggled in a hollowed-out coconut.”
The former congressman argued the change would not only reflect reality but also free up law enforcement to focus on serious crimes. “I’d rather have the cops chasing MS-13 than some guy in a Phish t-shirt growing three plants in his garage,” he said.
Gaetz framed rescheduling as both “populism and practicality,” even joking that the move could lead to “MAGA hats in line at the dispensary” buying strains like 1776 Freedom Kush. He urged Trump to “do it big, do it loud” and sign the order “with a gold Sharpie.”
Trump recently said he would make a decision on rescheduling within weeks but stopped short of revealing his stance. The DEA’s new administrator, Terrence Cole, has yet to list the issue as a priority, despite signaling interest during his confirmation hearings.
For Gaetz, however, the message is clear: “This plant has been treated more unfairly than I was—and that’s saying something.”
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