President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal officials to move toward reclassifying cannabis under U.S. drug law, a step that would represent the most consequential change in federal marijuana policy in decades.
The order instructs the attorney general to pursue shifting cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to Schedule III, a category reserved for drugs with recognized medical uses and a lower risk of abuse. Substances in Schedule III include medications such as ketamine and certain prescription painkillers that are regulated but legally prescribed.
Cannabis would remain illegal under federal law, and the order does not legalize recreational use nationwide. However, rescheduling would significantly ease restrictions on medical research and could reshape how cannabis is treated by federal agencies, researchers, and regulated businesses.
Schedule I drugs are defined as having no accepted medical value and a high potential for abuse. Cannabis has held that designation since the early 1970s, despite widespread state-level legalization and growing scientific research into its therapeutic uses. Federal officials have long acknowledged that the classification created barriers to large-scale clinical studies.
Speaking during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump said the change was aimed at helping patients dealing with severe and chronic illnesses, including cancer, seizure disorders, and service-related injuries among veterans. He said cannabis should be evaluated in a manner similar to prescription medications that have legitimate medical applications but also carry risks if misused.
The Drug Enforcement Administration notes that Schedule III substances are considered to have a moderate to low potential for dependence. Any formal reclassification would require a regulatory process led by the DEA, including public comment, before taking effect.
The executive order also directs White House officials to work with Congress on expanding access to cannabidiol, or CBD, and to develop frameworks for studying its real-world health effects. Federal health agencies have been tasked with examining both the potential benefits and risks associated with CBD products.
A senior administration official described the directive as a practical step toward aligning federal policy with medical evidence and public sentiment, saying it would allow researchers to better evaluate cannabis and its derivatives without altering criminal law overnight.
The move follows years of debate in Washington. A similar rescheduling effort was proposed under the Biden administration, and the DEA advanced a draft rule in 2024, but the process stalled amid legal and administrative challenges.
Reactions to Trump’s order were divided. Organizations advocating for cannabis reform praised the decision as long overdue, arguing that it reflects modern scientific understanding and could bring new investment and stability to an industry employing hundreds of thousands of people nationwide.
At the same time, some Republican lawmakers expressed opposition. A group of Senate Republicans recently warned that easing federal restrictions could normalize marijuana use and raise concerns about public health, workplace safety, and long-term cognitive effects. Others argued that existing research does not sufficiently demonstrate medical value to justify rescheduling.
Despite political disagreement, public opinion continues to favor reform. National polling consistently shows that a majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana in some form, with broad backing for medical use even among voters who oppose full recreational legalization.
As federal agencies begin implementing the order, the outcome will depend on regulatory review and congressional cooperation. While the directive does not immediately change the law, it signals a meaningful shift in how the federal government approaches one of the country’s most debated substances.
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