President Donald J. Trump has directed a historic shift in federal drug policy by reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, an order signed Thursday by his Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche.
The move does not legalize marijuana federally but allows tax deductions for state-licensed medical marijuana companies and eases research barriers. This action aligns with President Trump’s directive to expedite the reclassification process, which had been stalled under the prior administration. Blanche credited the progress to the president’s “decisive leadership.”
The order legitimizes medical marijuana programs in 40 states, providing tax deductions for operators and facilitating research. It also establishes a registration system for state-licensed producers with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), potentially influencing future federal policies. In a social media announcement, Blanche stated there would be “a new, expedited hearing with set deadlines” to fully reschedule marijuana in the coming months.
A key quote from Blanche emphasized: “This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”
The reclassification builds upon the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, which established federal marijuana prohibition despite widespread state-level medical and recreational legalization efforts. President Trump signed an executive order in December to remove legal barriers for medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) research, tasking Blanche with fast-tracking this change.
