President Trump addressed rumors about cannabis reform at the White House on Monday. During a press conference, a journalist asked about an earlier report suggesting the president was “ready” to direct his administration to move cannabis to Schedule III. Trump said the White House is discussing the matter, fueling speculation that an executive order could be forthcoming.
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“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, so we are looking at that very strongly,” Trump said.
The president reportedly spoke with House Speaker Mike Johnson about rescheduling cannabis last week. He was joined by several unnamed cannabis industry professionals and senior members of his administration. Insiders predicted an executive order on the matter could be released any day. So far, that has yet to happen, although the White House did issue an executive order designating fentanyl a “weapon of mass destruction.”
Trump hinted in August that an announcement on cannabis reform was coming. In September, a video touting the use of CBD was posted to Trump’s social media.
In an email exchange with the White House press office on Friday, GreenState was told that no final decision has been made on rescheduling.
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Currently, cannabis is considered a Schedule I drug alongside heroin and MDMA. The federal government has been weighing a move to Schedule III since late 2022, but the process stalled after Trump took office earlier this year.
Rescheduling would not mean marijuana is legal nationwide. It could make operating a regulated cannabis business easier and ease restrictions around taxation and research.
When, and if, Trump will issue an executive order remains to be seen. While the president cannot demand that cannabis be rescheduled, the order could compel the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to complete its review. Change would likely not be immediate and could face legal challenges. For now, advocates on both sides of the issue are watching closely to see whether Trump makes a move.
