Donald Trump has signed an executive order that marks a significant shift in US drug policy, directing federal agencies to reclassify cannabis to align it with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol.
This new federal directive moves cannabis to a Schedule III drug, a significant departure from its previous Schedule I status, which is shared by substances such as cocaine and heroin.
“I’m pleased to announce that I will be signing an Executive Order to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance with legitimate medical uses,” Trump stated during the announcement at the Oval Office, effectively concluding a drug policy era that began 55 years ago during Nixon’s presidency.
While the executive order does not immediately reclassify cannabis, it instructs the US Attorney General to expedite the process of changing its classification. This directive enables the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to implement the change promptly.
Despite the fact that nearly half of the US states have legalized the recreational use of cannabis, this executive order does not legalize marijuana nationwide. More information on the implications of this policy shift for cannabis users can be found below.
Trump’s extensive executive order, titled ‘Increasing medical marijuana and cannabidiol research,’ begins with the assertion that “Americans deserve access to the best medical treatments and research infrastructure in the world.”
It acknowledges issues that have been recognized at the state level for some time, such as the prevalence of chronic pain and the reliance of many sufferers on cannabis-derived products for relief.
Despite this, since 1970 federal policy has categorized cannabis as highly addictive and lacking medical value.
The order notes: “That oversight has limited the ability of scientists and manufacturers to complete the necessary research on safety and efficacy to inform doctors and patients.”
The executive order aims to hasten the reclassification of cannabis following the Justice Department’s decision in May 2024 that supported rescheduling the drug. The ruling required hearings on reclassification, which this order seeks to eliminate.
Trump’s executive order also broadens the scope of cannabis forms considered medically useful, recognizing cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and hemp products as having potential medical benefits.
The order instructs the Attorney General to revise definitions of cannabis products, facilitating the development and sale of CBD products. It may also ease regulations on the THC content allowed in these CBD products.
Since 1970, cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I substance, suggesting a ‘high potential for abuse,’ ‘no currently accepted medical use,’ and ‘lack of accepted safety.’
Alongside cannabis, Schedule I drugs include cocaine, heroin, DMT, LSD, MDMA, magic mushrooms, and GHB.
Reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III drug aligns it with substances like Tylenol and ketamine. However, this does not equate to legalization, and its use will still face certain restrictions.
Under the new classification, cannabis is still considered to have the ‘potential for abuse,’ but to a lesser extent than drugs like heroin. It acknowledges legitimate medical and research applications, albeit with potential for “moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.”
As a result of the reclassification, cannabis products will require a prescription from a licensed medical practitioner, with prescriptions needing renewal every six months or after five refills.
Even with the effects of Trump’s executive order, recreational cannabis use remains illegal in states where it is not already permitted. The order does not alter law enforcement policies regarding cannabis-related arrests.
Trump clarified while signing the order that the change “in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug.”
The reclassification is intended to facilitate scientific research into cannabis products and enhance profitability for businesses capitalizing on the expanding cannabis market.
Though these changes may take time to implement, they signify a substantial shift in the government’s stance on cannabis and its potential role as a treatment for conditions such as anorexia and nausea induced by chemotherapy.
State House Speaker Cameron Seton (R) shared with The Tennessean the complexities involved: “There will have to be conversations about who manufactures it, who tests it, who distributes, which medical illness could it be used for, does this require FDA approval and a host of other questions,”