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Feds Poised to Drop Marijuana from 'Most Dangerous Drug' List

The Trump administration is considering moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, a shift that could transform access, research, and the cannabis industry.

What Happened

President Trump is actively reviewing marijuana’s status under federal law and is considering moving it from Schedule I to Schedule III. Such a change would mark the first, and biggest, federal reclassification of cannabis in over 50 years.

Currently, marijuana is grouped in Schedule I alongside drugs such as heroin and defined as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule III includes substances like ketamine and certain anabolic steroids, which are considered to have accepted medical uses and lower abuse potential.

While Trump did not commit to a final decision, he did indicate that an announcement could come in the next few weeks. The move follows increasing pressure from lawmakers, industry leaders, and some medical professionals who argue that marijuana’s current classification is outdated and hinders legitimate medical and scientific progress.

Why It Matters

Reclassification would not make marijuana fully legal at the federal level, but it would ease many restrictions. Medical marijuana could be more readily prescribed, and pharmacies might eventually be able to dispense it under certain regulations.

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It would be a game-changer for researchers, as Schedule I status has made it cumbersome and costly to conduct studies, which typically require special licenses and government approvals. Moving cannabis to Schedule III would clear many of those hurdles, potentially accelerating research into its medical benefits and risks.

The potential reclassification could also affect the cannabis industry’s bottom line. Currently, businesses operating in states where marijuana is legal face high federal taxes because they cannot deduct normal business expenses under Section 280E of the tax code, a restriction tied to Schedule I and II substances. Reclassification would lift that barrier, improving profitability and potentially leading to lower prices for consumers.

How It Affects You

For everyday Americans, a reclassification such as this could mean expanded access to medical marijuana, particularly in states that already have established programs. Patients suffering from chronic pain, epilepsy, or other conditions might find it easier to obtain cannabis-based treatments through traditional healthcare channels.

It could also lead to a gradual cultural shift, as well as a legal metamorphosis. Reduced penalties at the federal level might prompt more states to reconsider their own laws, though marijuana would still be banned in jurisdictions that choose to prohibit it.

Should the reclassification go through, it could also open the door to more investment in cannabis-related businesses, create jobs, and encourage innovation in cultivation, processing, and medical applications. Banking access for the industry could improve as well, reducing the heavy reliance on cash-only operations that are more vulnerable to crime.

While the political and regulatory debates are far from over, the fact that a sitting president is publicly entertaining a lower classification marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s long-running marijuana policy discussion.

If Trump chooses to move forward with the reclassification, it will mark one of the most significant changes in U.S. drug policy in decades, with changes likely to reach from courtrooms to corner stores.

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