In This Article
President Donald Trump on Thursday issued an executive order directing his administration to expedite the reclassification of cannabis under federal drug laws, making good on a pledge to consider a proposal initiated by former President Joseph Biden. Under the plan, cannabis will be removed from Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the statute’s most restrictive classification. Cannabis will instead be placed under Schedule III, a less strict classification that includes drugs such as codeine and anabolic steroids.
Trump signed the executive order on Thursday at an Oval Office ceremony attended by cannabis policy reform supporters, patient advocates, leaders of veterans service organizations, and others. Notable attendees included Paige Figi, Charlotte Figi's mother. Charlotte, who died in 2020, opened the world’s eyes to the potential of medical cannabis when CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta shared her struggle with severe epilepsy.
“This action has been requested by American patients suffering from extreme pain, incurable diseases, aggressive cancers, seizure disorders, neurological problems, and more, including numerous veterans with service-related injuries and older Americans who live with chronic medical problems that severely degrade their quality of life,” Trump said before signing the executive order.
Trump’s executive order directs the attorney general to accelerate rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III of the CSA, directs White House staff to collaborate with Congress on expanding access to full-spectrum CBD products, and tasks the Department of Health and Human Services with creating research models that leverage real-world evidence to guide standards of care.
Asserting that he is the “president of common sense,” Trump noted that his executive order does not permit the recreational use of cannabis.
“I want to emphasize that the order I am about to sign is not the legalization or does it legalize marijuana in any way, shape, or form, and in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug,” Trump stressed.
“This reclassification order will make it far easier to conduct marijuana related medical research, allowing us to study benefits, potential dangers, and future treatments,” the president added. “It’s going to have a tremendously positive impact.”
Patient Advocates Respond to Trump’s Executive Order
The leaders of patient advocacy groups and cannabis policy reform organizations acknowledged Trump’s executive order as a significant step forward. They added, however, that broader reforms, including removing cannabis from the CSA entirely, are still needed to guarantee patient rights and access.
“This order finally reflects what patients, clinicians, and states have known for decades: cannabis has medical value,” said Steph Sherer, founder and executive director of medical cannabis advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA). “We commend the President for acknowledging that reality matters. But recognition is not the same as access—and research is not the same as patient protection.”
ASA noted that although rescheduling addresses a long-standing scientific and policy mistake, it neither legalizes medical cannabis, integrates state programs into federal policy, nor shields patients from discrimination.
“Under Schedule III, patients can still lose housing, employment, or parental rights simply for following a doctor’s recommendation,” Sherer said. “Doctors still cannot issue federally recognized prescriptions for whole-plant cannabis. Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA still cannot cover it. These gaps don’t disappear with rescheduling.”
Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), noted the historic nature of Trump’s action.
“The Administration’s order calling to remove the cannabis plant from its Schedule I classification validates the experiences of tens of millions of Americans, as well as those of tens of thousands of physicians, who have long recognized that cannabis possesses legitimate medical utility,” Armentano said in a statement from the cannabis policy reform advocacy group. “It wasn’t long ago that federal officials were threatening to seize doctors’ medical licenses just for discussing medical cannabis with their patients. This directive certainly marks a long overdue change in direction.”
Catch up on the latest cannabis news and sign up for NuggMD's Weekly Sesh newsletter for the latest consumer tips, industry updates, and product recommendations.
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
