President Donald Trump said his administration is considering a major shift in federal drug policy: reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The decision, which Trump said could come “in the next few weeks,” would mark the first change to marijuana’s federal status in more than half a century.
Currently listed as a Schedule I drug, marijuana is grouped with substances like heroin, LSD, and ecstasy — drugs the federal government says have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. The administration is now exploring moving cannabis to Schedule III, alongside substances such as Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, and anabolic steroids, which are considered to have moderate to low potential for dependence.
“It’s a very complicated subject,” Trump said. “I’ve heard great things having to do with medical [use], and I’ve heard bad things about just about everything else but medical. We’re looking at it.”
If approved, the reclassification would not legalize marijuana for recreational use nationwide. But it would signal a significant change in how the federal government views the drug and could bring economic relief to state-licensed cannabis businesses.
A Long-Running Debate
Marijuana has been classified as Schedule I since the Controlled Substances Act was signed in 1970. Calls for reclassification have grown louder in recent years, particularly after former President Joe Biden in 2022 directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to review the drug’s status.
HHS recommended rescheduling marijuana in 2023, and the DEA began moving toward reclassification last year — a process that has been on hold since March 2025.
Supporters See Symbolic and Practical Gains
Advocates for marijuana law reform welcomed Trump’s comments, even as they cautioned the move would have limits.
“Moving to Schedule III is important symbolically, because it’s a recognition by the federal government that cannabis has medical value,” said Morgan Fox, political director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). “Politically, it could give cover to GOP lawmakers who have been supportive privately but reluctant to say so publicly.”
On a practical level, Fox said reclassification would ease a major tax burden for cannabis businesses operating legally in the 40 states with medical marijuana programs and the 24 that allow recreational sales. Under Schedule I rules, such businesses cannot deduct ordinary expenses, leading to steep federal tax bills.
“Many licensed, regulated businesses are paying ridiculously high federal tax rates, making it hard to compete with the unregulated market,” Fox said. “Schedule III would help level that playing field.”
Opponents Cite Public Health Concerns
Not everyone is on board. DEA Administrator Terry Cole, a Trump appointee, has previously promoted research suggesting cannabis use may be linked to higher suicide rates among high school students. He has said reviewing marijuana’s classification is a top priority.
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk also voiced opposition on social media. “I hope this doesn’t happen,” Kirk wrote on X. “We need to protect public spaces for kids. Everything already smells like weed, which is ridiculous.”
What Happens Next
If Trump moves forward, the DEA would oversee the formal rescheduling process — a bureaucratic step that can take months or even years. Advocates like Fox are hopeful it could move faster this time.
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