President Trump said Monday that his administration is “considering” reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, signaling a possible shift in federal drug policy that could have wide-ranging effects on research and the cannabis industry, but limited impact on criminal justice reform.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump acknowledged growing pressure to change marijuana’s federal classification, which has remained largely unchanged for more than five decades. “We are considering that,” he said when asked about reclassification. He added that many researchers and advocates support the move because “it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify,” and said the administration is looking at the issue “very strongly.”
The comments came days after The Washington Post reported that Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing federal agencies to pursue reclassification. According to the report, Trump discussed the idea with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), citing multiple sources familiar with the conversations.
Marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug since 1971, placing it in the same category as heroin, methamphetamines and LSD. Under the Drug Enforcement Administration’s framework, Schedule I substances are defined as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. By contrast, Schedule III drugs — the category under consideration — include substances such as ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone and Tylenol with codeine.
A reclassification would build on efforts begun under the Biden administration. In 2024, federal agencies initiated the process to move marijuana to Schedule III, but the review was not completed before former President Biden left office. Trump also endorsed rescheduling during the 2024 presidential campaign, saying in mid-August that he would decide the issue within “the next few weeks,” though no action followed at the time.
While the policy shift could be significant for research and business, its effect on criminal justice would likely be modest. Rescheduling is not the same as fully removing marijuana from the federal drug schedules. Federal penalties for possession and use would remain in place, and marijuana would still be illegal under federal law.
Critics argue that the move falls short of meaningful reform. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) accused Trump of trying to mislead the public about the impact of rescheduling, writing on X that the president was attempting to “gaslight” Americans into “believing he just made pot legal.” Wyden noted that rescheduling does not decriminalize cannabis or address the incarceration of people serving time for minor drug offenses.
Supporters counter that the change would still have major practical consequences. Reclassification would ease restrictions on scientific research, allowing universities and medical institutions to study marijuana more freely. It would also provide a significant financial benefit to the cannabis industry. Under the U.S. tax code, businesses dealing in Schedule I or Schedule II substances cannot take standard business deductions or claim typical tax credits, a rule that has long burdened marijuana companies.
The issue also highlights the disconnect between federal law and state policy. Forty-two states and Washington, D.C., allow medical marijuana, and 24 states permit recreational use. As public acceptance grows and state markets expand, pressure continues to mount on Washington to bring federal policy more in line with reality on the ground.
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