DEA in Marijuana Crisis: Calls for Termination of Key Officials Amid Constitutional Defiance, Ethical Violations, and Marijuana Bias

The DEA's In-House Forum Takes Another Hit

While the Department of Justice has withdrawn its defense of the DEA, the DEA continues to conduct hearings under this unconstitutional framework. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in her recent notice to the courts:

"The Department has reviewed recent Supreme Court precedent and concluded that the existing structure of DEA's ALJs does not meet constitutional muster. Effective immediately, we will no longer defend this system in litigation and have notified federal courts accordingly."

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stands accused of operating as a rogue agency, defying Supreme Court rulings, violating ethical standards, and engaging in selective enforcement of federal cannabis laws. With mounting legal challenges, bipartisan condemnation, and internal misconduct, pressure is building for mass terminations, structural reforms, and congressional intervention.

1. Ethical & Legal Failures: DEA Attorney Aarathi Haig's Non-Compliance

Haig's Suspended NJ Bar Status

Aarathi Haig, the DEA attorney leading the agency's case against MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, is ineligible for a Certificate of Good Standing with the New Jersey Bar due to:

• Failure to pay mandatory fees to the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection

• Non-compliance with Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements

• Lapsed enrollment in New Jersey's IOLTA program, which safeguards client trust accounts

  However she continues in her DEA position.

Haig is in Violation of Federal Ethics Rules

Under 28 U.S.C. § 530B, federal attorneys must adhere to state bar rules - yet Haig's non-compliance raises serious ethical concerns about DEA oversight. Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, argues:

"This isn't just about paperwork-it's about a pattern of disregard for the law. The DEA demands compliance from others while ignoring its own obligations."4

Calls for Immediate Removal

Advocates demand:

• Haig's suspension from MMJ's case pending compliance.

• Congressional audit of DEA attorneys' bar standing.

2. Matthew Strait Congressional Condemnation: DEA Branded "Epitome of Ineptitude"

Rep. Buddy Carter's Scathing 2020 Rebuke

During a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Earl "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) blasted the DEA's obstruction of medical cannabis research, calling the agency:

"The epitome of ineptitude."

Targeting DEA's Diversion Control Division

Officials Matthew Strait and Thomas Prevoznik were singled out for:

• Delaying MMJ BioPharma's applications since 2018-despite FDA-approved research status 3.

• Ignoring illegal THC exports by major cannabis firms (Curaleaf, Cookies, Active) while blocking compliant research.

Bipartisan Outrage

Lawmakers accuse the DEA of:

• Defying the 2016 MCREA Act, which mandates 60-day review periods (MMJ has waited 2,300+ days).

• Ignoring 2022 congressional directives to expedite cannabis research.

3. Constitutional Defiance: DEA Ignores Supreme Court, Attorney General & DOJ

Axon & Jarkesy: Unconstitutional ALJ System

The Supreme Court ruled in:

• Axon v. FTC (2023)

• Jarkesy v. SEC (2024)
  that agency ALJs insulated from presidential removal violate the Constitution.

DOJ Admits Defeat-DEA Keeps Breaking the Law

Despite the DOJ withdrawing its defense of DEA ALJs-and Attorney General Pam Bondi notifying courts the system is unconstitutional - the DEA continues using illegal tribunals.

MMJ's Legal Battle

MMJ BioPharma Cultivation will file for:

• Emergency injunction to halt DEA's unconstitutional hearings.

• Judicial declaration that the DEA's ALJ structure is invalid.

• Expedited approval of its 7-year-pending cannabis research application.

4. The Solution: Terminations, Reforms, and Congressional Action

President Trump's Nominee Must Clean House

Terrance Cole, the incoming DEA Administrator, should:

1. Fire Prevoznik, Strait, and Haig for obstruction, ethical violations, and constitutional defiance.

2. Abolish the unconstitutional ALJ system in compliance with Axon & Jarkesy.

3. Transfer cannabis oversight to FDA/NIH, as the DEA has proven unfit to regulate science.

Congress Must Act

• Oversight hearings into DEA's misconduct and bias.

• Legislation stripping DEA's cannabis authority.

• Judicial sanctions if the DEA continues defying court orders.

Is this The DEA's Last Chance

If the DEA refuses reform, it risks:

• Judicial dismantling of its unconstitutional structure.

• Legislative removal from cannabis regulation.

• Total collapse of public trust.

The time for accountability is now.

DRAIN THE DEA DIVERSION CESSPOOL.

MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan.

CONTACT:
Madison Hisey
MHisey@mmjih.com
203-231-8583

SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings