Trump Administration Moves To Reclassify Marijuana In Major Federal Policy Shift
The Trump administration on Thursday took a significant step toward reshaping federal drug policy, moving to reclassify certain marijuana-related substances and ease restrictions that have long limited research.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order reclassifying FDA-approved marijuana-based products as Schedule III drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. The move places those products alongside prescription medications that carry a lower risk of abuse compared to the most tightly controlled substances.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has historically classified marijuana as a Schedule I substance since 1970, grouping it with drugs considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as heroin and LSD.
Officials say the change is intended to expand scientific research and improve medical understanding of cannabis. Blanche said the shift will allow for more rigorous study into safety and effectiveness while helping doctors make more informed treatment decisions for patients.
The administration also announced an expedited hearing scheduled for June 29 to consider broader reclassification of cannabis beyond FDA-approved products, signaling that additional policy changes could follow.
While the move does not legalize marijuana at the federal level, it carries major implications for the cannabis industry. Companies operating legally under state law could now gain access to standard tax deductions for business expenses such as payroll and rent, a benefit that has been restricted under current federal rules.
The decision builds on earlier actions by President Donald Trump, who in December 2025 signed an executive order directing federal agencies to expand research into medical marijuana and CBD.
Trump has also publicly pushed for faster progress on rescheduling, expressing frustration with delays and urging officials to accelerate the process. His administration has paired the marijuana effort with broader interest in alternative treatments, including recent moves to expand research into psychedelic therapies.
Across the country, marijuana laws continue to vary widely. Roughly two dozen states and Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational use, while about 40 states allow medical marijuana in some form. A small number of states still maintain full prohibitions.
The federal shift marks one of the most notable changes to marijuana policy in decades and could influence how lawmakers, regulators, and courts approach cannabis regulation moving forward.