Trump Moves To Reschedule Marijuana, Completing Biden-Era Push

Trump Moves To Reschedule Marijuana, Completing Biden-Era Push

 

 

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order accelerating the federal rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, reviving a reform effort that began under the Biden administration but stalled before Trump returned to office.

 

The move is aimed at expanding scientific research into cannabis and its medical uses, while keeping the drug illegal under federal law. Trump stressed repeatedly that the order does not legalize marijuana or decriminalize recreational use.

 

“This does not legalize marijuana in any way, shape or form,” Trump said during remarks from the Oval Office. “It does not sanction its use as a recreational drug.”

 

Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I substance, a category reserved for drugs deemed to have no accepted medical use. Under Schedule III, cannabis would be considered to have legitimate medical applications and a lower risk of abuse, though it would remain federally controlled.

 

The Biden administration initiated the rescheduling process in 2024, but it was left unfinished when Trump took office. Trump signaled in August that he was open to completing the effort, marking a notable shift in Republican policy on marijuana.

 

Trump framed the decision as a pragmatic response to public opinion while warning of addiction risks. He was joined at the announcement by Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on research and regulation.

 

The decision was welcomed by the cannabis industry but immediately criticized by anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which said it would challenge the move in court if finalized. Dozens of Republican senators have also voiced opposition.

 

Trump additionally announced a pilot program allowing Medicare beneficiaries to be reimbursed for certain CBD treatments beginning in April.

Critics argue that rescheduling could indirectly boost marijuana use by allowing cannabis businesses to deduct standard operating expenses, including advertising, under federal tax law.

 

Key Takeaways

• Trump signed an order to speed up marijuana’s move from Schedule I to Schedule III

• Marijuana remains illegal under federal law; no legalization or decriminalization

• The shift signals a significant change in Republican attitudes toward cannabis