DOJ Finalizes Move Of FDA-Approved And State-Licensed Medical Marijuana To Schedule III
The Justice Department finalized moving certain FDA-approved and state-licensed medical marijuana products to Schedule III. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed the formal order, the department confirmed. The rescheduling applies to FDA-approved products that contain marijuana and those regulated under a state medical marijuana license. Officials said the change aims to expand patient access and research while following a December executive order by President Trump.
Blanche was quoted saying the department is "delivering on President Trump's promise" and framed the step as expanding access to medical treatment and research. CBS News posted the confirmation on its Facebook page, providing the signature detail and linking the action directly to the president's December direction.
Earlier coverage described the move as the Trump administration loosening rules for state-licensed medical marijuana but often lacked a formal DOJ order. Fox News ran headlines noting regulatory loosening, while the CBS Facebook post supplied the legal step and on-the-record comment that turned reporting from expectation into confirmation. The shift matters because rescheduling to Schedule III changes federal classification and could affect banking, research approvals, and prescriptions, though concrete implementation details and timelines remain to be announced.
đ Key Facts
- On April 23, 2026, the Justice Department formally issued an order, signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, rescheduling specified marijuana products to Schedule III.
- The rescheduling covers FDA-approved products containing marijuana.
- The rescheduling also covers products regulated under state medical marijuana licenses.
- The DOJ action directly follows a December executive order by President Trump directing the attorney general to begin the rescheduling rulemaking process.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department is "delivering on President Trump's promise," framing the change as expanding access to medical treatment and research.
đ° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- 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.