President Trump says his administration is strongly considering reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III to enable medical research.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said his administration is considering pushing to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug at the federal level.
“We are considering that,” Trump told reporters when asked about a potential executive order on the issue.
He stated that reclassification is desired by many because it would allow for significant medical research currently restricted under its current status.
Marijuana is currently a Schedule I substance, a category reserved for drugs with high abuse potential and no accepted medical use, such as heroin and LSD.
Dozens of US states have already legalised medical marijuana, with many also approving recreational use.
According to a Washington Post report, the administration is aiming to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug, which includes substances like ketamine and anabolic steroids deemed to have medical value and lower abuse potential.
Rescheduling is distinct from legalisation or decriminalisation but would ease federal restrictions.
This change could lower barriers to clinical research, which faces multiple approval layers for Schedule I substances.
It could also create major tax implications for legal cannabis cultivation and sales companies.
The US president cannot unilaterally reclassify a drug but can direct federal agencies to pursue the process.
The Post reported Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing such agency action.
The previous Biden administration pursued reclassification, but efforts stalled before Trump took office in early 2025.
The United States currently has a patchwork of state laws governing cannabis commercial distribution, recreational possession, and personal cultivation.
Recreational use is already legal in small amounts in 24 states and Washington DC. – AFP
