Justice Department Reclassifies Medical Marijuana Under Federal Law

The Trump administration has taken significant action on marijuana policy, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signing an order Thursday to reclassify state-licensed marijuana under federal drug scheduling laws.

The order moves Food and Drug Administration-approved and state-licensed marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III classification. Schedule I designation has traditionally been reserved for substances deemed to have no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse, placing marijuana in the same category as heroin. Schedule III classification applies to drugs with moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.

“The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” Blanche stated Thursday. He emphasized that the reclassification would facilitate research into the safety and efficacy of marijuana, providing physicians with more reliable information and patients with improved care options.

The acting attorney general clarified that the order does not yet apply to marijuana broadly. Rather, it initiates what he described as “a new, expedited hearing with set deadlines, to fully reschedule marijuana.” This suggests the administration views Thursday’s action as the beginning of a more comprehensive review process.

The marijuana reclassification follows closely on the heels of another drug policy initiative. Last Saturday, President Trump signed an executive order expediting the review of certain psychedelic drugs for potential therapeutic applications. The president indicated these treatments are currently undergoing advanced clinical trials to establish their safety and effectiveness for American patients.

The timing of these actions reflects a broader shift in federal drug policy under the current administration. For years, the disconnect between federal marijuana prohibition and state-level legalization has created legal ambiguities for businesses, patients, and law enforcement agencies across the nation. More than thirty states have enacted some form of medical marijuana program, while federal law has maintained its strict prohibition.

Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III would have practical implications beyond research. It could affect tax treatment for marijuana businesses, which currently cannot deduct normal business expenses under federal tax law due to the drug’s Schedule I status. The change might also influence banking regulations that have prevented many state-legal marijuana businesses from accessing traditional financial services.

The administration’s approach represents a measured step toward federal recognition of marijuana’s medical applications, while stopping short of full legalization or removal from controlled substance schedules entirely. Whether this satisfies advocates who have pushed for more comprehensive reform, or concerns those who favor maintaining current restrictions, remains to be seen.

The Justice Department has indicated it will proceed with expedited hearings on full rescheduling, though specific timelines have not been announced.