Trump Administration Formally Reschedules Marijuana To Lower Federal Drug Classification
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order Thursday in Washington formally rescheduling certain marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III, easing federal restrictions on state-licensed medical cannabis.
The change applies only to two categories: FDA-approved marijuana products and products regulated under state medical marijuana licenses. Blanche's order creates an expedited system for state-licensed producers to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration and lets those businesses deduct ordinary business expenses on federal taxes. It also says researchers will not be penalized for obtaining state-licensed marijuana or derived products for scientific studies. Blanche said the department is "delivering on President Trump's promise," and framed the move as expanding access to medical treatment and research.
The order follows a December executive order by President Trump directing the attorney general to begin rulemaking on rescheduling. For decades marijuana was classed at the highest federal level; this is the first reclassification since 1970. States have moved faster: 24 states plus Washington, D.C. allow adult use, 40 have medical systems, and eight have low-THC or CBD laws.
Early coverage framed the move as a historic break in federal drug policy and a major win for medical access. PBS and CBS led that narrative by highlighting expanded access, tax deductions, and research protections. Later reporting from NPR and the New York Times stressed limits: the change does not legalize marijuana federally or affect recreational markets immediately. They also flagged unresolved issues around banking, criminal enforcement priorities, and internal administration debate. Opponents such as Smart Approaches to Marijuana argued many current products still meet Schedule I criteria.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- The Justice Department issued a formal order, signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, rescheduling specified marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III.
- Rescheduling applies only to FDA‑approved marijuana products and products regulated under a state medical‑marijuana license; it does not legalize marijuana under federal law and does not immediately affect recreational use.
- The order creates an expedited Drug Enforcement Administration registration process for state‑licensed producers and distributors and explicitly allows state‑licensed medical marijuana companies to deduct ordinary business expenses on their federal taxes for the first time.
- DOJ officials, including Blanche, framed the change as fulfilling President Trump’s promise and said the move is intended to expand patient access and enable more research on safety and efficacy.
- Moving medical marijuana to Schedule III removes the need for researchers to obtain a Schedule I license, easing laboratory and regulatory burdens; the order also says researchers will not be penalized for obtaining state‑licensed marijuana or derived products for scientific studies.
- The administration has scheduled DEA hearings to begin in late June to consider broader rescheduling of marijuana beyond state‑licensed medical programs.
- Observers say the change is likely to affect banking access, criminal enforcement priorities and patient access; industry representatives (e.g., Ascend Wellness CEO Sam Brill) highlighted tax and banking burdens, while opponents (e.g., Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana) argue the products still meet Schedule I criteria.
- News outlets framed the move as a historic shift in federal drug policy — described as the first federal reclassification of marijuana since 1970 — and noted it sits amid broader internal political and institutional debate over marijuana policy.
đź“° Source Timeline (6)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS reports that, for the first time since 1970, the federal government has reclassified marijuana from the most dangerous category to a less dangerous category.
- The segment frames the move as a historic break in federal drug policy rather than only a technical tweak for specific medical products.
- Dr. Jon LaPook is presented as explaining implications, indicating mainstream framing as a public-health and regulatory milestone.
- Clarifies that the rescheduling applies only to two types of products: FDA-approved marijuana products and those regulated under a state medical marijuana license, and does not immediately affect recreational marijuana.
- Reports that in late June the Drug Enforcement Administration will hold hearings on broader marijuana rescheduling beyond medical programs.
- Includes on-the-record opposition from Smart Approaches to Marijuana, whose president Kevin Sabet argues current products still meet Schedule I criteria.
- Details that moving medical marijuana to Schedule III eliminates the need for researchers to obtain a Schedule I license, easing laboratory and regulatory burdens.
- Adds industry perspective from Ascend Wellness Holdings CEO Sam Brill on current tax burdens and lack of banking access for state-licensed cannabis firms.
- NYT emphasizes that the move represents a formal shift in federal drug policy by the Trump administration, not just a technical DOJ step.
- Additional detail on how rescheduling is expected to affect banking access, criminal enforcement priorities and patient access (as described in the NYT framing).
- Broader political and institutional context around internal administration debate and how this aligns or conflicts with prior Republican positions on marijuana.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed the order Thursday formally reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.
- The order does not legalize marijuana under federal law but creates an expedited system for state-licensed producers and distributors to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
- The order explicitly allows state-licensed medical marijuana companies to deduct ordinary business expenses on their federal taxes for the first time.
- The order makes clear that researchers will not be penalized for obtaining state-licensed marijuana or marijuana-derived products for scientific studies.
- The Trump administration has scheduled a hearing to begin in late June to jump-start the process of reclassifying marijuana more broadly beyond strictly medical, state-licensed use.
- Blanche framed the change as DOJ 'delivering on President Trump's promise' and said rescheduling will enable more research on safety and efficacy.
- The article quantifies current state policy: 24 states plus Washington, D.C. with adult-use legalization, 40 with medical systems, 8 with low-THC or CBD medical laws, and only Idaho and Kansas fully prohibiting marijuana.
- Confirms that an order has been formally issued by the Justice Department, signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, rescheduling specified marijuana products to Schedule III.
- Specifies that the rescheduling applies to FDA-approved products containing marijuana and products regulated by a state medical marijuana license.
- Clarifies that the DOJ action directly follows a December executive order by President Trump directing the attorney general to begin the rescheduling rulemaking process.
- Includes Blanche's on-the-record quote that the department is 'delivering on President Trump's promise' and framing the change as expanding access to medical treatment and research.