Just hours after former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew from consideration for attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump announced his new nominee: former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The selection shifts the spotlight to Bondi's record, especially her stance on cannabis reform, which contrasts starkly with Gaetz's pro-legalization views.

Despite the unsavory allegations against Gaetz's personal behavior, he’s been an advocate for cannabis reform and was expected to adopt a lenient approach toward legalization if appointed. In contrast, Bondi had a tougher stance on medical marijuana during her tenure as Florida's Attorney General (2011-2019).

Bondi While Florida’s AG

For example, in 2013, Bondi’s office filed a 57-page challenge to the proposed ballot initiative that was seeking to put medical marijuana (MMJ) on the ballot the following year. Once medical marijuana was approved, she defended state laws restricting cannabis use, including a ban on publicly smoking it. Bondi argued at the time that the ban was justified due to concerns over secondhand smoke exposure.

A state judge later ruled the ban to be inconsistent with Florida's constitutional amendment that legalized medical cannabis in 2014. The restriction was eventually overturned under Gov. Ron DeSantis who went on the warpath against smoking in public.

Read Also: Cannabis Stocks Feel The Burn: Matt Gaetz Bows Out As Trump’s Attorney General Nominee

Trump's Drug Addiction Commission

Bondi's role on Trump's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis during his first term in the White House could further complicate her position on cannabis.

The commission, which was chaired by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, was skeptical about cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain or opioid addiction, citing studies suggesting a potential link between marijuana use and opioid abuse. Authoritative studies have since shown the contrary to be the case.

Though Bondi's track record has raised concerns among some cannabis reform advocates, industry leader Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve Cannabis Corp (OTC:TCNNF), described Bondi on X as "straightforward and very fair," reported Marijuana Moment.

"She is passionate about ending the opioid crisis and did great work shutting down pill mills in Florida. She is an advocate for safe, regulated markets and I believe she will bring the same energy to end the fentanyl issues our country is facing," Rivers said.

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