Trump Urges Expedited Marijuana Rescheduling by January
President Trump has directed a swift reclassification of marijuana, aiming for completion by January, though the timeline remains uncertain
Key Points
- 1Trump directs fast-track marijuana rescheduling by January
- 2Executive order aims to move marijuana to Schedule III
- 3Rescheduling would not legalize marijuana federally
- 4Change would eliminate 280E tax penalty and expand research
- 5Timeline for rescheduling remains uncertain despite urgency
President Donald Trump has instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to expedite the process of reclassifying marijuana under federal law, setting a potential deadline for completion by January. This directive follows an executive order signed earlier this month, which mandates the attorney general to take all necessary steps to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act
According to The Marijuana Herald, two sources close to the president have indicated Trump's desire for a swift resolution. While the White House and the Department of Justice have not officially confirmed the January deadline, the executive order underscores the administration's intent to prioritize this issue. The Department of Health and Human Services had recommended the Schedule III classification earlier this year
If the rescheduling is finalized, marijuana would remain illegal under federal law, but the change would have significant implications. It would remove the burdensome federal 280E tax penalty for cannabis businesses, improve research access, and formally recognize marijuana's accepted medical use. Despite the urgency, the process involves several procedural steps and potential delays, leaving the timeline uncertain