(Natural News) For decades, cannabis advocates have pushed for universal legalization of medical marijuana. Citing scientific study after scientific study, they have forcefully (and truthfully) argued that legalization would provide much needed relief to millions of people suffering from a host of medical ailments.

But the federal government has only responded with continued bans and regulatory restrictions that have limited access to the many who wish to freely choose this alternative medical treatment. In fact, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has now technically reclassified cannabis extracts as a Schedule I substance, putting them in the same category as heroin.

Now, however, the nightmarish over-regulation of cannabis may be about to be dismantled. President Donald J. Trump may be about to nominate someone to head up the Food and Drug Administration who believes in, and is a fan of, medical marijuana. (RELATED: Discover the latest scientific data on cannabis, hemp and marijuana at HempScience.news)

As reported by The Anti Media, Trump has spoken to two potential candidates: Balaji Srinivasan, CEO of bitcoin start-up 21.co, and Jim O'Neill, the managing director of investment firm Mithril Capital Management. Both met with Trump about a week before his inauguration.

Srinivasan, Recode noted, does not have much use for the FDA. Though they are now deleted, Srinivasan's Twitter archive at one time contained huge criticisms of the federal agency. Now that he's being considered to run the agency, he apparently does not want to give senators critical of him any more ammunition to fire against him than necessary.

And while a Srinivasan nomination would certainly be in the same mold of Trump's previous picks – most of his nominees have been critical of the agencies they are about to lead – it's the potential selection of O'Neill that should excite cannabis and medical marijuana supporters more.