Trump Plans Potential Shift in Federal Marijuana Rules, Could Ease Restrictions

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a major change to federal marijuana regulations, potentially reclassifying the drug to a level similar to some prescription painkillers, according to The Washington Post.

Trump discussed the idea in a Wednesday phone call with House Speaker Mike Johnson, along with marijuana industry executives, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services chief Mehmet Oz.

The president is expected to explore using an executive order to direct federal agencies to pursue reclassification.

Will Marijuana Become Legal?

The proposal would not legalize marijuana nationwide but could reduce barriers for research and support the legal cannabis industry. 

In August, Trump said he was “looking at reclassification” and acknowledged differing opinions on the issue, stating, “Some people like it, some people hate it… because it does bad for the children, it does bad for the people that are older than children.” 

Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance, alongside heroin and LSD, indicating high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. Reclassifying it to Schedule III would place it alongside drugs like Tylenol with codeine and certain hormone treatments, which have recognized medical uses but still carry some risk of dependence.

The Biden administration previously recommended reclassification to Schedule III in 2023, but the process stalled at the Drug Enforcement Administration. An administrative hearing was planned to examine the health benefits and risks of marijuana but was delayed after Trump took office, amid claims from cannabis companies that the DEA was obstructing the measure.

A White House official emphasized that no final decisions have been made, and the Departments of Health and Human Services and CMS did not comment on the matter.