President Donald Trump is quietly revisiting federal marijuana policy, raising eyebrows across the political landscape. His administration is weighing reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III controlled substance.
Currently, marijuana is grouped with h*roin and LSD labelled as having no medical use and a high risk of abuse. A move to Schedule III, a category for substances like ketamine and anabolic steroids, would reflect a lower ab*use potential and acknowledged medical applications.
Trump acknowledged the debate during an August 11 press briefing, describing it as “a very complicated subject.” He added,
“We’re looking at reclassification and we’ll make a determination over the next—I would say over the next few weeks, and that determination hopefully will be the right one.”
At the heart of this development lies the potential for real economic and scientific change. Reclassifying marijuana could ease tax burdens by exempting cannabis businesses from Section 280E, increase access to banking and investment, and facilitate broader medical research.
A political ripple has followed. Traditionally conservative factions are rallying against the idea, warning it could “erode societal values” and usher in what critics call a “p0thead culture.” But others see a libertarian win, especially for medicinal access and industries like Big Pharma and cannabis.
This reclassification would not make marijuana federally legal, nor override state prohibitions. But it would legitimize medical research, reduce penalties, and transform how the federal government treats the cannabis industry.
Public support for legalization has soared some polls show nearly 90 % of Americans now favor medical or recreational cannabis access. This shift, mirrored in Trump’s new posture, could reshape Republican alignment on drug policy.
In just weeks, Trump is expected to decide whether to move forward with a reclassification that could redefine federal marijuana enforcement, scientific study, and business viability. That short window promises to be a pivotal moment. Not just for cannabis policy, but for the ideological direction of the GOP.
Will federal policy finally catch up with public sentiment? Or is this a one-off nod to shifting winds? We’ll know soon enough.
Featured image credit: (Canva)
