In a significant move towards reforming drug policy, President Donald Trump is anticipated to sign an executive order as early as Wednesday that will reclassify marijuana to a Schedule III drug. This change is expected to ease federal restrictions surrounding the use and research of marijuana, according to two senior administration officials who are familiar with the situation.
Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug under the guidelines set forth by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This classification indicates that marijuana is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. The proposed shift to Schedule III would categorize marijuana as having moderate to low potential for both physical and psychological dependence, as well as a lower potential for abuse compared to drugs classified at higher schedules.
While this executive order will not fully legalize marijuana, it is expected to highlight that the current scheduling of the drug is hindering scientific research into its safety and efficacy for various medical uses. According to the officials, the order will emphasize the long-standing delays in rescheduling marijuana, which have not served the interests of Americans who could benefit from its potential medical applications, particularly in treating chronic pain and other serious health conditions.
On Monday, President Trump addressed the topic, expressing that he is seriously considering the reclassification of marijuana. He stated, “Because a lot of people want to see it, the reclassification, because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can't be done unless you reclassify. So we are looking at that very strongly.” This comment aligns with earlier reports from August, which indicated that the administration was contemplating the move. Trump acknowledged that it is a “complicated subject” but expressed interest in the matter, citing the “great things” he had heard about medical marijuana.
The news of the impending executive order has garnered significant media attention, with CNN being among the first to report on the expected changes. As public and political interest in marijuana legalization continues to grow, this move could represent a pivotal moment in federal drug policy, potentially paving the way for increased research and medical applications of marijuana.