Trump Administration Reclassifies Medical Marijuana
On Thursday, Todd Blanche, the acting Attorney General from President Trump’s Justice Department, approved an order that reclassifies state-approved medical marijuana, shifting it from Schedule I to Schedule III. This change acknowledges its medicinal properties alongside drugs like heroin.
This new classification reflects an increasing acknowledgment of the acceptable medical uses of marijuana and offers tax benefits to legally operating medical marijuana businesses. However, it’s essential to note that this does not completely legalize marijuana at the federal level but does significantly alter its regulatory framework, impacting the 40 states with established medical marijuana programs.
“This action recognizes what Americans have known for years: marijuana is medicine,” Blanche stated in a release. “These actions will enable more targeted research into safety and effectiveness, expand patient access to treatment, and assist physicians in making informed medical choices.”
In a post on X, Blanche remarked that the order seeks to initiate an “expedited hearing” for the rescheduling of marijuana and FDA-approved state medical cannabis.
“Today, the majority of states maintain comprehensive licensing frameworks governing the cultivation, processing, distribution, and dispensing of cannabis for medical purposes,” he mentioned, adding that these frameworks promote public health and safety while preventing illegal diversion of controlled substances.
Nonetheless, this decision has sparked criticism. Some opponents argue that state-level legalization could increase the potency of cannabis products and emphasize the need for further research before reclassifying marijuana in a less restrictive manner. Kevin Sabet, CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), continues to stand against federal legalization, suggesting that researching the drug doesn’t warrant significant policy adjustments. He believes there are better ways to enhance scientific understanding without sending mixed signals about marijuana’s risks to the public.
“With this move, we face the most pro-drug administration in history,” Sabet stated in a text message. “Policy is now being shaped by marijuana CEOs and investors, as well as addicted podcasters.”
Regardless, Blanche reinforced on Thursday that the Justice Department is upholding President Trump’s commitment to broaden health care options for Americans. He asserted that the rescheduling will facilitate research into marijuana’s safety and benefits, ultimately leading to enhanced patient care and better information for doctors.
The administration also revealed that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) intends to commence administrative hearings on June 29, expediting the broader reclassification of marijuana to assess formal rescheduling requests.
“Under the leadership of President Trump and Acting Attorney General Blanche, the DEA is fast-tracking the hearing process, aiming to bring consistency and oversight to an area that has lacked both,” DEA Administrator Terry Cole remarked.
This pivotal change aims to ensure that cannabis researchers are not penalized for using state-licensed marijuana in their studies. Additionally, it allows state-approved medical marijuana companies to deduct business expenses from their federal taxes—a first in the industry.
Since 2015, Congress has banned the Justice Department from utilizing federal resources to dismantle state-sanctioned medical marijuana systems, but this order marks a significant pivot in U.S. policy, which has historically favored stringent cannabis prohibition, evident since the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act—even as many states now approve various forms of cannabis use.
Last December, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at speeding up the cannabis rescheduling process to advance research. Yet, he simultaneously warned of the adverse effects of recreational marijuana and clarified that he had no plans to eliminate federal prohibition.
Michael Bronstein, president of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH), labeled this development as “the most significant advance in federal cannabis policy in more than 50 years.”
