President Trump Expected to Reschedule Cannabis to Schedule III
President Trump is expected to sign an order rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III, marking a significant shift in federal policy but not full legalization
Key Points
- 1Trump to sign order rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III
- 2Rescheduling indicates medical use acknowledgment but not legalization
- 3Federal cannabis control remains, with diverse state laws intact
- 4White House cautions details are speculative until official release
- 5Rescheduling's impact depends on federal agency interpretations
President Donald Trump is anticipated to sign an executive order today that could reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This move, reported to occur at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, would be a significant shift in federal cannabis policy, marking the first formal acknowledgment of cannabis's medical use since 1970, according to High Times
While this rescheduling is not equivalent to legalization, it would alter the federal classification of cannabis, potentially impacting federal agency control. However, cannabis would remain federally illegal, and states would continue to operate under diverse laws. This change would not automatically resolve issues such as banking restrictions or interstate commerce challenges, nor would it lead to the immediate release of those incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses
The White House has advised that details remain speculative until the order is officially signed and released. The implications of this rescheduling will depend heavily on how federal agencies interpret and enforce the change. High Times notes that while moving cannabis to Schedule III may seem like progress, true progress would be the complete descheduling of the plant. The executive order's impact will be closely analyzed to determine what it truly means for the future of cannabis policy