Marijuana Advocates Hope Leonhart's Replacement Will Share The President's Views On Drug Reform

On Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that head of the Drug Enforcement Administration Michele Leonhart was stepping down in May after weeks of criticism over her handling of reports that FBI agents were attending sex parties paid for by drug cartels in Colombia. Leonhart's retirement was music to marijuana advocates' ears, as her view on marijuana reform was in sharp contrast to that of the President's. Against Reform Leonhart was appointed to lead the DEA in 2012 by President Obama, though she had been serving as Acting Administrators since the resignation of her predecessor Karen Tandy. During that time, she expressed firm opposition to the legalization of both recreation and medicinal marijuana. Despite the President's view that states should decide whether or not to legalize the drug, Leonhard maintained her anti-marijuana stance. Diverging Viewpoints During her eight year stint at the helm of the DEA, Leonhard raised eyebrows with some of her anti-marijuana comments. Last year, rumors circulated that she criticized the President for giving an interview in which he said that marijuana was no more dangerous than alcohol during a closed-door meeting. Time For A Change Now that she is leaving the agency, marijuana activists are hoping the President will nominate a more openminded successor whose view more closely aligns with the President's. Many have already begun calling for Obama's consideration of candidates who are also committed to marijuana reform. Many see this as an opportunity for Obama to back up his rhetoric and demonstrate his commitment to marijuana reform.