Trump Administration Moves to Reclassify Marijuana to Schedule III

The Trump administration is preparing to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance under federal law, according to sources familiar with the matter. This change would acknowledge the drug's accepted medical use and lower its potential for abuse, aligning it with substances like ketamine and certain anabolic steroids.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in December 2025 directing the Attorney General to expedite the rescheduling process. The order aims to improve medical marijuana and cannabidiol research to better inform patients and doctors.

Reclassifying marijuana to Schedule III would not legalize it for recreational use but could facilitate medical research and reduce tax burdens on cannabis businesses. Currently, marijuana's Schedule I status imposes significant restrictions on research and subjects businesses to higher taxes.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is expected to announce the first steps toward reclassification soon, beginning with an administrative hearing. This move follows President Trump's recent expression of frustration over the pace of the rescheduling process.

Public opinion appears to support easing restrictions on marijuana. A recent Economist/YouGov poll found that 53% of adults favor legalization, including 35% of Republicans.

While the reclassification would facilitate medical research, it would not alter the legal status of marijuana at the federal level or affect sentences for those currently incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses. President Trump emphasized that the change is not equivalent to decriminalization, stating, "Unless a drug is recommended by a doctor for medical reasons, just don't do it."