President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the U.S. Attorney General to begin the formal process of reclassifying cannabis under federal law. The order would move marijuana from Schedule I to the less restrictive Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
The change would facilitate expanded medical research while maintaining federal prohibition. A senior administration official described the move as a "commonsense action" aimed at enabling better study of the substance.
Key Components of the Executive Order
• Placed in this category in 1971
• Most restrictive classification
• Would keep cannabis federally illegal
• Could provide tax relief to state-legal businesses
Political Context and Reactions
The order follows years of state-level cannabis legalization movements and a similar reclassification effort by the previous administration that stalled. President Trump has long advocated for this change, writing last year about ending arrests for personal use and implementing what he called "smart regulations."
The move faces notable Republican resistance. Twenty-two GOP Senators recently warned that reclassification could hinder re-industrialization efforts and cited health concerns. In August, nine Republican Representatives argued that no adequate science supports the change and that it would send a dangerous signal.
Public Opinion Background
According to recent polling, there is broad public support for cannabis legalization. A national poll conducted in November found 64% of Americans favor legalization, though support among Republicans has declined by 13 percentage points from previous measurements.
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Source: BBC