WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has moved to reclassify certain marijuana products under federal law, shifting state-regulated cannabis and FDA-approved marijuana-based medications to a less restrictive category.
In an order signed Thursday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche changed the classification of those products from Schedule I, the same category as drugs like heroin, to Schedule III, which includes substances with a lower potential for abuse and dependence like Tylenol.
The change does not legalize marijuana federally, but it does ease some regulatory restrictions.
“The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” Blanche said. “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.”
Under the order, state-licensed medical marijuana producers and distributors will have a faster path to register with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It also clarifies that researchers can use state-legal cannabis in studies without facing federal penalties.
The shift could also provide financial relief for marijuana businesses, allowing them to deduct certain expenses on their federal taxes for the first time.
Not everyone supports the move. Kevin Sabet, CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, told the Associated Press that while more research is needed, the change could send mixed signals.
“There are many ways to increase our knowledge without giving a tax break to Big Weed and sending a confusing message about marijuana’s harms to the American public,” Sabet said.
The administration is also moving forward with a broader review that could reclassify all marijuana. A hearing on that proposal is scheduled for June 29.
Schedule III drugs are defined as having a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. However, some research suggests cannabis use disorder has increased in certain populations following legalization, with higher rates of frequent use and addiction reported among young adults and adults over 26 in states where marijuana is legal.
“Our research doesn’t address why these changes are occurring, but if you’ve been to a state that has legalized recreational cannabis use you’ll notice the drug is widely available and prominently advertised,” said David Kerr, a professor at Oregon State University and lead author of one study. “Americans’ beliefs about the benefits and harms of cannabis use are also changing rapidly.”
The issue has been under review for several years. The Biden administration initiated a federal review of marijuana’s classification in 2022, and in 2023 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended reclassification. The Drug Enforcement Administration later sought hearings in 2024, though those were postponed indefinitely. Former Vice President Kamala Harris also said, “As far as I’m concerned, nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed.”
