On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could move marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III, a shift that would affect regulation, taxation, and research.
Reclassification Details
The order would remove cannabis from the same category as heroin and LSD and place it alongside substances such as ketamine and certain anabolic steroids. The change would not legalize recreational use nationwide, but it could alter how the drug is regulated and reduce the heavy tax burden on the industry.
Public Support and Opposition
Trump said he received a “deluge of phone calls” from people in pain who begged him to act. He added, “We have people begging for me to do this. People that are in great pain.” Some Republicans, however, have spoken out against any change. A letter signed by more than 20 senators, led by North Carolina’s Ted Budd, urged Trump to keep marijuana a Schedule I drug, arguing it remains dangerous and would undermine his agenda.
Process and Legal Context
Reclassifying a drug typically requires a lengthy process, including a public comment period that has already drawn tens of thousands of responses across the United States. The DEA was still reviewing the proposal when Trump took office in January, and the new order is expected to speed that process along, though the exact timeline remains unclear.
State vs. Federal Law
Many states have legalized recreational marijuana for adults or allow it for medical purposes, but federal law remains stricter, leaving some users subject to federal prosecution. The executive order does not change that status.
Public Opinion
Gallup polling shows growing support for a less restrictive approach: 36% of Americans backed legalization in 2005, rising to 68% last year.
Expanded Research and CBD Access
Trump’s order calls for expanded research and easier access to CBD, a hemp‑derived product whose benefits are debated by experts. Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said a new Medicare program would allow older adults to receive legal hemp‑derived CBD at no cost if a doctor recommends it.
Opposition Letter Highlights
The letter from the Republican senators included the claim that “the only winners from rescheduling will be bad actors such as Communist China, while Americans will be left paying the bill.” It also cited concerns about negative effects on users’ physical and mental health, as well as road and workplace safety.
Other Drug‑Policy Actions
Trump has not committed to decriminalizing marijuana, though he has considered reclassifying it for much of his second term. He has continued his campaign against other drugs, ordering U.S. military attacks on Venezuelan boats he says are ferrying drugs and declaring fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction.
Key Takeaways
- The executive order would reclassify marijuana as Schedule III, easing research and tax burdens.
- The move is supported by many patients and polling data but opposed by a group of Republican senators.
- The order does not legalize recreational use nationwide and leaves state laws in place.
The decision marks a significant shift in federal drug policy, aligning it more closely with the stance many states have already taken.
