Marijuana Reclassification Back on the Table as Trump Orders Federal Review

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a landmark executive order directing federal agencies to begin the process of reclassifying marijuana under U.S. drug laws, marking one of the most significant shifts in national cannabis policy in decades. The move, which aims to move cannabis out of the most restrictive federal category, has stirred a wave of reactions from lawmakers, industry leaders, and civil rights groups.

Under current federal law, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance—alongside drugs like heroin and LSD—defined as having “no currently accepted medical use” and a high potential for abuse. Trump’s order directs the Attorney General to expedite the process of rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III, a category that includes substances like ketamine and some anabolic steroids, which are considered to have lower potential for dependence and recognized medical use.

In a Rose Garden announcement, Trump framed the policy change as a pragmatic response to growing scientific evidence and public support for the therapeutic uses of cannabis. He highlighted the drug’s potential benefits for patients suffering from chronic pain and other serious ailments and noted the high volume of input his administration had received from advocacy groups, veterans, medical professionals, and business stakeholders.

“This isn’t about legalization,” the president reiterated, emphasizing that the order does not remove federal prohibition on marijuana or endorse recreational use nationwide. Instead, the policy adjustment is aimed at lowering barriers for research and expanding access to medicinal cannabis products, he said.

Mixed Reactions on Capitol Hill

The move drew immediate reaction from across the political spectrum. Supporters of cannabis reform hailed the action as a step toward aligning federal policy with state laws—40 states now permit medical cannabis use, and nearly two dozen allow recreational marijuana—and as a boost for research into cannabis-based therapies. Some state lawmakers, including Democrats in Tennessee, have cited the federal shift as momentum to revisit restrictive local marijuana policies.

However, not all responses were positive. Several House Republicans publicly criticized the reclassification, warning it could send the wrong signal about drug use and raise concerns about public safety and addiction. Conservative opponents also argue that reclassifying marijuana undermines long-standing federal anti-drug standards without adequate safeguards.

Industry and Practical Implications

Cannabis business leaders broadly welcomed the decision, noting that moving marijuana into Schedule III could ease burdensome regulations and open the door to new research, financing and tax benefits similar to other pharmaceutical products. Yet analysts caution that significant challenges remain. Despite the policy shift, marijuana will still be illegal at the federal level, leaving hurdles intact for major banks and institutional investors reluctant to engage with the industry due to unresolved legal risk.

Civil liberties advocates, including the ACLU, praised the administration for acknowledging scientific evidence and justice concerns, but urged Congress to go further by passing comprehensive reform legislation that would address criminal records and equity issues tied to decades of marijuana prohibition.

The Path Ahead

While Trump’s order does not immediately alter the legal status of marijuana, it represents a notable pivot in federal drug policy — one that could reshape the future of cannabis research, industry growth and state-federal relations on drug enforcement. As the Department of Justice begins the formal rescheduling process, lawmakers and stakeholders alike are watching closely to see how the shift will play out in practice and what additional reforms might follow.