Order Moves Cannabis From Schedule I To Schedule III
Donald Trump’s acting attorney general signed an order Thursday reclassifying state licensed medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug, marking one of the most significant federal policy changes on cannabis in decades.
The order, signed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, shifts medical marijuana from Schedule I, a category reserved for drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, to Schedule III, which carries fewer restrictions.
The change does not legalize marijuana under federal law but alters how it is regulated, easing restrictions on research and offering financial relief to state licensed operators.
Policy Change Expands Research And Financial Access
Blanche said the move fulfills a directive from the administration to expand access to treatment options and improve research into cannabis.
Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
“This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information,” Blanche said.
The order allows researchers to study cannabis without penalties tied to federal classification and creates a streamlined system for licensed producers and distributors to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
It also provides a significant financial benefit by allowing state licensed medical marijuana businesses to deduct expenses on their federal taxes for the first time.
Majority Of States Already Allow Some Form Of Cannabis Use
The federal shift comes as most states have already adopted some form of cannabis legalization. Forty states operate medical marijuana programs, while two dozen states and Washington, D.C., allow recreational use. Only a small number of states continue to ban marijuana entirely.
Blanche noted that states have developed extensive regulatory systems governing cultivation, distribution, and use, arguing that those frameworks demonstrate an ability to protect public health and prevent misuse.
Supporters Call Move Historic While Critics Raise Concerns
Industry advocates described the decision as a major step forward. Michael Bronstein, president of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, called it “the most significant federal advancement in cannabis policy in over 50 years.”
Opponents of marijuana legalization pushed back, arguing the change sends the wrong message about the drug’s risks. Kevin Sabet, head of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, criticized the policy as a benefit to the cannabis industry.
“With this move, we are now confronted with the most pro drug administration in our history,” Sabet said, warning that the decision could blur public understanding of marijuana’s potential harms.
Broader Reclassification Effort Still Underway
The administration also announced it is moving forward with a broader review of marijuana classification, with hearings expected to begin in late June.
Efforts to reclassify cannabis began under former President Joe Biden, whose administration initiated a review process that drew tens of thousands of public comments. The new order accelerates that process by using existing legal authority tied to international drug control agreements.
Marijuana products not distributed through state licensed medical programs will remain classified under Schedule I for now, leaving federal prohibition largely intact outside the new framework.
