Trump Administration Considers Cannabis Rescheduling to Boost Research
President Trump has indicated his administration is considering rescheduling cannabis to facilitate research, but a decision has yet to be made. This move could significantly impact medical studies but would not legalize cannabis federally
Key Points
- 1Trump administration considers rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III
- 2Rescheduling would ease research but not legalize cannabis federally
- 3Cannabis would remain under DEA and FDA control
- 4Trump's comments add weight to the cannabis reform debate
President Donald Trump has signaled a potential shift in federal cannabis policy, revealing that his administration is considering rescheduling cannabis to facilitate medical and scientific research. Currently classified as a Schedule I substance, cannabis is deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, which limits research opportunities. Trump's remarks suggest a move to Schedule III could be on the table, which would acknowledge the plant's medical value and open doors for more extensive research
During a recent press interaction, Trump stated that there is significant interest in reclassifying cannabis to enable research that is currently restricted. "A lot of people want to see it, the reclassification, because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify," he explained. This statement marks one of the most explicit confirmations from Trump that cannabis rescheduling is under serious consideration, aligning with reports that the White House is evaluating a directive to move marijuana to Schedule III
The implications of such a rescheduling are significant, though they stop short of full legalization. While reclassification would ease research barriers and potentially accelerate pharmaceutical developments, it would not harmonize federal and state cannabis laws. Cannabis would remain federally illegal, maintaining its status under oversight by agencies like the DEA and FDA. This leaves state-regulated markets in a precarious position, caught between federal illegality and state permissions
Trump's comments emphasize research over legalization, reflecting the administration's cautious approach to cannabis policy. While the White House has not yet made a final decision, Trump's remarks add weight to the ongoing debate about cannabis reform. The outcome of this consideration could have far-reaching effects on clinical trials and the pharmaceutical industry, but it remains uncertain whether these discussions will translate into concrete regulatory changes