EX DEA Administrator Anne Milgram's "Swampy" Legacy: No-Bid Contracts, No Marijuana Reform, and No Accountability

OG Article By attorney Megan Sheehan

October 09 2025

Leadership Failures

• Former DEA Administrator Anne Milgram’s tenure marked by inaction.

• Alleged cronyism in no-bid contracts: $4.7M to associates, $1.4M to WilmerHale, $400K to ally.

• OIG probe into contracts ongoing, no final report.

“Milgram’s DEA was a monument to incompetence,” said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation.

Stalled Research

• DEA delayed MMJ’s 2018 petition to grow cannabis for FDA trials.

• Trials target Huntington’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

• Milgram imposed retroactive rules, ignored Congress.

“Every day of delay meant patients went without hope,” Boise said.

Legal Missteps

• DEA’s tribunal proceedings ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court in Axon v. FTC and Jarkesy v. SEC.

• Blocked legitimate medical cannabis research.

Public Backlash

• Bipartisan criticism: Rep. Mike Garcia called Milgram’s actions “flagrant.”

• Sen. Chuck Grassley demanded answers on favoritism.

• Milgram deflected, citing OIG probe.

New Leadership

• Terry Cole, new DEA Administrator, started January 2025.

• Known for integrity, faces choice: reform or stagnation.

“Cole can let the DEA work for patients,” Boise said.

Path Forward

• MMJ awaits approval for cannabis production.

• Patients need cannabinoid-based medicines.

• Cole’s leadership could shift DEA toward science and transparency.

MMJ represented by attorney Megan Sheehan.