US president Donald Trump is reportedly considering reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance, according to The Wall Street Journal. The change would mark a significant shift in federal drug policy and could expand opportunities for medical research and the cannabis industry.
At a private $1 million-a-plate fundraiser in New Jersey earlier this month, Trump told attendees he was interested in pursuing the change, according to sources familiar with the discussion. The proposal follows years of bipartisan debate over federal marijuana laws and comes as the legal cannabis market continues to grow across the United States.
A Shift in Federal Drug Policy Discussions
Under current US law, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance, alongside heroin and LSD, meaning it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Reclassifying it as Schedule III would place it in the same category as certain prescription drugs like anabolic steroids, acknowledging potential medical applications while still subjecting it to regulation.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the possible reclassification was discussed in the presence of Kim Rivers, chief executive of Trulieve, one of the country’s largest cannabis companies. Rivers reportedly urged Trump to move forward with the change and expand federal support for medical marijuana research.
The idea of rescheduling cannabis is not new. The Biden administration had begun exploring such a move but did not enact it before leaving office. Several bills have also been introduced in Congress, backed by members of both major parties, seeking either to reclassify marijuana or remove it from the controlled substances list entirely. Despite growing public support, these legislative efforts have so far failed to become law.
Industry Implications and Political Context
Reclassifying marijuana could have far-reaching effects on the multibillion-dollar US cannabis industry. The shift would ease certain federal restrictions, potentially making it easier for companies to access banking services, claim tax deductions and expand research into medical uses. According to the report, cannabis companies have invested millions of dollars into political groups supporting Trump and have hired prominent Washington lobbyists to push for reform.
At least 40 US states have legalised medical marijuana, while 24 states and Washington, D.C., have also legalised recreational use. Public opinion surveys consistently show majority support for some form of legalisation.
Trump’s position on marijuana has shifted over time. During his first term, he expressed scepticism about recreational use, reportedly telling associates it “does cause an IQ problem”. More recently, he backed a ballot measure to legalise recreational marijuana in Florida, though it failed to meet the required threshold to pass.
The White House, through spokesperson Abigail Jackson, has stated that “all policy and legal requirements and implications are being considered” and that the president’s decisions are guided by “what is in the best interest of the American people.”
