President Donald Trump has announced a notable shift in federal drug policy by relaxing certain longstanding restrictions on marijuana. On Thursday, he signed an executive order that officially reclassifies marijuana from its previous status as a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III controlled drug, aligning it with substances such as ketamine and anabolic steroids. This administrative decision, while not equivalent to full legalization, represents a meaningful recalibration of federal stance and opens the door to broader scientific investigation and potential medical application.
During a formal event held in the Oval Office, President Trump, accompanied by a group of medical professionals, emphasized the profound public demand for such reform. He expressed that countless individuals—particularly those suffering from chronic and intractable pain—had implored him to take action. He noted that these appeals often came from patients facing extreme or incurable conditions, including seizure disorders and other debilitating diseases for which conventional medications provide limited relief. In his remarks, the president highlighted his belief in marijuana’s potential role as a therapeutic substitute for highly addictive opioid painkillers, whose misuse has led to widespread social and health crises across the nation.
Although the executive order does not render marijuana fully legal under federal law, it significantly alters the regulatory landscape, particularly in the sphere of research. By repositioning the substance as a Schedule III drug, federal agencies and accredited scientific institutions will find it considerably easier to obtain authorization for legitimate studies. This change may accelerate advancements in medical understanding, helping to uncover new therapeutic uses, dosage models, and safety parameters. Moreover, this reclassification could have substantial financial implications for cannabis-based businesses operating in states where marijuana has already been legalized at the local level. Under the new framework, these businesses may qualify for tax deductions and relief measures previously unavailable to them due to the substance’s former classification.
Prior to this order, marijuana had been designated a Schedule I controlled substance—a category reserved by the Drug Enforcement Agency for materials deemed to possess no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse or dependence. By contrast, Schedule III substances are recognized as having accepted medical utility and only a moderate to low risk of physical or psychological addiction, thereby making marijuana’s new categorization a noteworthy milestone in federal recognition of its potential benefits. In the days preceding the announcement, speculation surrounding the anticipated policy shift caused a noticeable surge in marijuana-related stocks, as investors reacted to the prospect of regulatory relaxation and emerging commercial opportunities.
This executive order also aligns with President Trump’s more measured approach to marijuana policy during his third campaign for the presidency in 2024, which marked a departure from his more cautious stance during his first term. He has repeatedly framed his position as guided by pragmatism and what he calls “common sense” governance. At the Thursday event, Trump reiterated this philosophy, proclaiming that his administration’s actions reflect both reasoned judgment and an acknowledgment of social reality.
In addition to federal reclassification, Trump publicly expressed his intention to support state-level reform efforts. He declared that, if given the opportunity, he would personally vote in favor of a Florida ballot initiative seeking to legalize recreational marijuana use. Although that measure received 56 percent of the vote, it ultimately failed to achieve the 60 percent threshold required for passage under the state’s constitutional standards. Nevertheless, Trump has continued to voice support for legislative changes designed to enable marijuana businesses to operate with fewer bureaucratic obstacles. These steps collectively signal a broader evolution in federal attitudes toward cannabis—a transformation that could reshape not only scientific research but also the intersection of healthcare, economic policy, and criminal justice reform in the United States.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-marijuana-executive-order-federal-restrictions-schedule-research-2025-12
