The Trump administration is expected to reclassify marijuana as soon as Wednesday, according to an administration official. The change would shift cannabis from Schedule I to a lower category alongside drugs like ketamine and steroids. This action follows an executive order signed by the former president last December.
Reclassifying the drug would ease U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration barriers to studying its potential medicinal applications. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I substance, the same category as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. The move has been framed as a response to requests from patients suffering from various conditions.
The policy shift would not immediately legalize marijuana for recreational use. It also would not affect the sentences of those already incarcerated for possession offenses. The administration official cited by Axios indicated the action could shore up support from influencers who back expanded research.
This development represents a continuation of President Biden's earlier push to change federal marijuana laws. Trump directed the attorney general to pursue reclassification before leaving office. The change could open doors for more rigorous scientific investigation into therapeutic uses.
Some advocates argue the move does not go far enough, as it maintains federal prohibition and leaves state-level conflicts unresolved. They contend that only full descheduling or legalization can address core justice and industry issues.