WASHINGTON, D.C.(Hornpost) U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order directing federal authorities to begin reclassifying marijuana from the most restrictive category of controlled substances, marking one of the most significant shifts in American drug policy in decades.
The executive order instructs the U.S. Attorney General to initiate the process of removing marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act — a category reserved for drugs deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse — and reclassify it under Schedule III. Substances in Schedule III include certain prescription painkillers such as Tylenol with codeine.
Despite the move, marijuana will remain illegal at the federal level. However, reclassification to Schedule III is expected to significantly expand scientific research into its potential medical benefits, which has long been restricted under Schedule I regulations.
President Trump compared marijuana to legally prescribed pain medications, noting that while such drugs can provide medical benefits, they also carry risks if misused. The administration framed the decision as a balanced approach that acknowledges medical research while maintaining federal controls.
The new classification is also expected to have major tax implications for the state-licensed cannabis industry. Under current law, businesses dealing in Schedule I substances are barred from claiming certain federal tax deductions. Reclassification could ease those financial constraints for legally operating cannabis distributors in states where its use has been approved.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions in Washington. Some Republican lawmakers and conservative groups warned that the move could normalize marijuana use and send the wrong message about drug consumption. Others, including medical researchers and reform advocates, welcomed the order as a long-overdue step toward evidence-based drug policy.
The executive order does not immediately change marijuana’s legal status. Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration, must complete a formal administrative process before the reclassification takes effect.
The move underscores a notable evolution in U.S. drug policy and signals growing federal recognition of marijuana’s medical potential, even as political debate continues over its broader legalization and social impact.
Prepared:
Hornpost staff Reporter
