Trump Pushes for Marijuana Reclassification to Ease Federal Restrictions
President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to pursue a major change in federal marijuana policy, aiming to ease restrictions on the drug without fully legalizing it nationwide. Discussions between Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have focused on moving marijuana from its current Schedule I classification to Schedule III, a shift that would significantly reduce federal oversight.
Marijuana is currently classified alongside drugs such as heroin, considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Reclassifying it to Schedule III, a category that includes substances like codeine-containing painkillers, would recognize its medical applications and lower the perceived risk of abuse.
The proposed change is expected to benefit state-legal cannabis businesses by easing tax burdens and improving banking access. It would also allow researchers to study the plant more freely. While the move would not force states to legalize cannabis, it would signal a more permissive federal stance.
The plan has attracted bipartisan interest, with lawmakers noting that the Schedule I designation is outdated. Public support for marijuana reform has grown in recent years, and the executive order currently being prepared could mark a historic shift in U.S. drug policy.
