Date: August 11, 2025
Washington, D.C. — In a move that could reshape federal drug policy and dramatically alter the cannabis industry, former President Donald Trump has signaled openness to reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous substance under federal law. The potential shift aligns with ongoing efforts by federal agencies and public health officials to bring marijuana policy more in line with modern science and state-level laws.
Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act — the same category as heroin and LSD — which denotes drugs with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. This classification has long been criticized as outdated, especially as 45 U.S. states now allow the use of cannabis for either medicinal or recreational purposes.
A Long-Awaited Federal Shift
In August 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a historic recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reclassify marijuana to Schedule III, a category that includes drugs like ketamine and Tylenol with codeine — substances deemed to have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
Following this recommendation, the DEA formally proposed a rule in 2024 to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III. However, that rule change has been in bureaucratic limbo since March 2025, reportedly due to political pressure and legal reviews.
Now, with the 2026 election season heating up and public support for cannabis reform at an all-time high, Trump is reportedly considering whether to endorse or accelerate the reclassification effort — a move that could appeal to a broad swath of voters, from libertarian-leaning conservatives to younger independents.
What Would Reclassification Mean?
Moving marijuana to Schedule III would not make it fully legal, but it would mark a monumental shift in how cannabis is treated at the federal level. Notably, it would:
- Ease research restrictions, allowing scientists to more easily study THC and other cannabinoids.
- Allow cannabis companies to take standard business tax deductions under IRS Code 280E.
- Potentially pave the way for FDA-approved cannabis medicines beyond what’s currently available.
However, reclassification would not decriminalize marijuana or override state laws. Federal penalties for unlicensed production or distribution could still apply.
Public Opinion and Political Calculations
According to a 2025 Pew Research poll, over 70% of Americans support marijuana legalization in some form, with bipartisan backing. As more states legalize or decriminalize cannabis, the federal government’s inconsistent stance has led to confusion, legal gray areas, and economic disadvantages for legal cannabis businesses.
Trump’s consideration of reform may also be an attempt to outmaneuver President Joe Biden, whose administration initiated the rescheduling process but has yet to finalize it. Biden has taken modest steps, including issuing pardons for low-level federal marijuana possession offenses and launching a broader review of federal cannabis laws.
Meanwhile, What Is THC?
With marijuana making headlines again, many Americans are asking: what exactly is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It’s the substance responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana use, but it also has medicinal properties. THC interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating mood, appetite, memory, and pain.
Recent medical research has focused on THC’s potential to treat conditions such as chronic pain, nausea, anxiety, and PTSD. Some studies have also explored its impact on neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. However, researchers caution that THC can also cause side effects — including anxiety, impaired cognition, and dependency — especially with long-term or high-dose use.
What’s Next?
The DEA’s proposed rule is still under public and administrative review. Whether the reclassification moves forward before the 2026 election may depend on political calculations as much as policy rationale.
For now, the cannabis industry and millions of Americans — from medical patients to entrepreneurs — remain in limbo, watching closely to see whether Trump or Biden will finally bring federal marijuana law into the 21st century.