“I promised to be the president of common sense, and that is exactly what we’re doing.”- Trump signs executive order to reschedule marijuana
President Donald J. Trump on Thursday announced and signed an executive order directing the federal government to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, a move the administration says will expand medical research while stopping short of federal legalization.
“Today I’m pleased to announce that I will be signing an executive order to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III control substance with legitimate medical uses,” Trump said during a White House press conference.
Trump said the decision followed years of appeals from patients experiencing severe and chronic medical conditions, including cancer, neurological disorders, and service-related injuries among veterans. He described sustained outreach from individuals seeking relief from pain and other debilitating symptoms.
“For decades, this action has been requested by American patients suffering from extreme pain,” Trump said.
Marijuana has long been classified as a Schedule I substance, a category reserved for drugs deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The executive order cites findings from the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services that marijuana has a currently accepted medical use, including for pain, nausea and vomiting, and anorexia related to medical conditions.
Trump emphasized that the order does not legalize marijuana for recreational use and does not alter federal prohibitions outside of medical and research contexts.
“I want to emphasize that the order I am about to sign is not the legalization or does it legalize marijuana in any shape or form and in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug,” Trump said.
The order directs the attorney general to complete the rulemaking process to move marijuana to Schedule III as quickly as federal law allows. A proposed rule issued by the Department of Justice in May 2024 received nearly 43,000 public comments and is awaiting an administrative law hearing.
Trump said the reclassification is intended to remove barriers to scientific study and improve the federal research framework surrounding medical marijuana.
“This reclassification order will make it far easier to conduct marijuana-related medical research, allowing us to study benefits, potential dangers, and future treatments,” he said.
The administration’s policy statement accompanying the order notes that the Schedule I classification has limited research access, delayed safety and efficacy studies, and left patients and health care providers without consistent federal guidance. The order also references data indicating widespread medical marijuana use among seniors and veterans, often without direct consultation with physicians.
In addition to marijuana rescheduling, Trump said the administration is asking Congress to revisit federal policy governing hemp-derived CBD products, particularly as it relates to access for older Americans and those managing chronic pain.
“We’re also asking Congress to reconsider its classification of hemp-derived CBD to ensure seniors can access CBD products they have found beneficial for pain and other reasons,” Trump said.
The executive order acknowledges regulatory complexity surrounding CBD products, including concerns about labeling accuracy, product safety, and the impact of newly enacted THC thresholds that may cause some full-spectrum CBD products to fall under federal marijuana control in the future.
Trump framed the action as a response to public support and what he described as a practical approach to addressing patient needs while maintaining safeguards.
“I promised to be the president of common sense, and that is exactly what we’re doing,” Donald J. Trump
The order directs federal health agencies, including HHS, the FDA, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to expand research using real-world evidence to better understand the risks and benefits of medical marijuana and legal CBD products. The administration said the research focus will include long-term outcomes and impacts on vulnerable populations.
Trump signed the order following the remarks and opened the floor to questions, concluding the event by reiterating the medical focus of the policy shift.
“It’s an honor to do this,” he said.
Full Text: Executive Order – INCREASING MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND CANNABIDIOL RESEARCH
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