Trump administration moves to reclassify cannabis
The Trump administration moved on Thursday to reclassify marijuana under federal law; This could significantly expand scientific research into the drug’s medical uses.
The amendment would not legalize the drug at the federal level, but would shift marijuana from its current status as a Schedule I substance to Schedule III under the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s controlled substances framework.
In a statement, the Justice Department said it would immediately move FDA-approved products containing marijuana and items regulated by state medical marijuana licensing to Schedule III. He also announced that an expedited hearing will be held in June to consider the official reclassification of marijuana to Schedule I at the federal level.
“Together, these actions provide immediate and long-term clarity to researchers, patients, and providers while maintaining stringent federal controls against illicit drug trafficking,” the DOJ said. he said.
Schedule I drugs, which include heroin and LSD, are considered to have no accepted medical uses and a high potential for abuse. Unlike Schedule III drugs such as codeine and Tylenol with testosterone, it is recognized as having medical applications and is subject to fewer regulatory restrictions.
The reclassification eliminates long-standing barriers that have made it difficult for researchers to study marijuana in clinical settings.
Financial consequences are also important. Will exempt marijuana companies IRS Code Section 280EFor the first time, it allows standard expenses such as rent and payroll to be deducted, and opens the door to banking access that was previously prohibited.
The move marks one of the most significant federal shifts in marijuana policy in decades and signals a growing willingness in Washington to rethink how the drug is categorized and scrutinized in the United States.
“This is about people: patients battling cancer, seniors dealing with chronic pain, veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and children with epilepsy whose families have long sought safe, effective options,” Tilray CEO Irwin Simon said in a statement following the Justice Department’s announcement.
Tilray’s medical operations have served hundreds of thousands of patients in more than 20 countries, according to the company.
Scientists have faced stringent approval processes, limited supply access and onerous compliance requirements as they attempt to study the therapeutic uses of marijuana, including for chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and neurological disorders. These federal barriers remain in place even though roughly half of the states have legalized marijuana for recreational use and even more have approved it for medical use.
“While operators will still face a fragmented system on a state-by-state basis, the improved cash flow resulting from the rescheduling will support reinvestment, strengthen stability, and help build momentum for more consistent standards over time,” said Wendy Bronfein, co-founder and chief brand officer of Curio Wellness, a Maryland-based cannabis company.
The action follows an executive order issued last year directing federal agencies to begin the reclassification process, which typically takes several years and involves scientific review, interagency coordination and rulemaking procedures.
“This rescheduling is not the finish line — it is the final phase of a race we have been running for decades,” said Shawn Hauser, partner at marijuana law firm Vicente LLP.
In 2024, the Biden administration began this process and put the reclassification before the public for a 60-day comment period. After that window, hearings to review potential impediments to the transition between administrations stalled.
The move also comes just days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on psychedelics to expedite research, clinical trials and “Right to Try” access to drugs such as psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine.
