The cannabis community has waited with bated breath to see if President Trump will reclassify the plant on the federal level. The process began three years ago; last month, Trump promised a decision was imminent. Many advocates believe the president will endorse moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, but due to recent Congressional action, it could be a moot point.
RELATED: Lawsuit pits cannabis against hemp yet again
Earlier this month, a group of Congressional lawmakers approved a bill that would block the Department of Justice (DOJ) from rescheduling cannabis. Specifically, the DOJ could not use federal funds to reclassify marijuana.
It’s the second time the House Appropriations Committee voted in favor of advancing the legislation. The full House of Representatives has yet to approve the measure.
While the legislation may seem like bad news for cannabis reform, there is a silver lining. The bill does maintain a separate rider barring the DOJ from interfering in state-legal medical marijuana programs. This means that even though the plant is a Schedule I substance, the government cannot enter states and enforce federal law.
RELATED: Weed could be the Republican party’s secret weapon
This state-level protection has been in place for over a decade. It has allowed cannabis markets to operate without fear of federal prosecution. However, many roadblocks to success still exist for compliant businesses due to marijuana’s Schedule I status.
Rescheduling the plant could ease some of these burdens. Cannabis companies would be granted more tax breaks and may be able to ship products across state lines. Marketing restrictions may also be lifted, reducing social media shadow bans. Rescheduling would not legalize the plant, but doing business and conducting research could be easier.
It’s unclear if Congress will approve the bill forbidding rescheduling. It’s also unknown how the Trump administration will move with regard to cannabis. Even if the president were to issue an executive order decreeing the plant should be rescheduled, there would still be a long road ahead. Trump’s cabinet has mixed opinions on pot, so for now, it’s status quo.
