The Trump Administration has taken a significant step toward loosening federal limits on medical marijuana, with the Justice Department announcing plans to reclassify certain cannabis products and broaden research opportunities.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed he signed an order to shift FDA-approved and state-licensed medical marijuana from the strictest drug category, Schedule I, to Schedule III. This change places cannabis alongside substances recognized for medical use and with a lower risk of dependence. Schedule I drugs—such as heroin and LSD—are considered highly dangerous with no accepted medical value, while Schedule III drugs are defined as having “a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.”
Blache posted on X: “Under the decisive leadership of @POTUS, this Department of Justice is delivering on his promise to improve American healthcare. This includes:
- Immediately rescheduling FDA-approved marijuana and state-licensed marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule IIl
- Ordering a new, expedited hearing with set deadlines, to fully reschedule marijuana
These actions will enable more targeted, rigorous research into marijuana’s safety and efficacy, expanding patients’ access to treatments and empowering doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions.”
The move follows an executive order issued by Pres. Trump in December aimed at accelerating cannabis reclassification. While the policy does not legalize marijuana at the federal level, it signals a shift toward aligning federal rules with many state laws and expanding access to medical treatments.
Federal officials say a hearing scheduled for June 29 will examine broader changes to marijuana’s legal status. The reclassification is expected to remove major barriers for scientists, making it easier to study cannabis and better understand its medical benefits and risks. Supporters argue that medical marijuana can help manage chronic pain, cancer-related symptoms, and other serious conditions. At the same time, health experts warn about potential downsides, including impacts on memory, learning, and brain development—particularly in younger users—as well as possible links to mental health issues, fertility concerns, and long-term dependency. Federal data suggests that roughly 30% of users may develop cannabis use disorder.
Although cannabis remains illegal under federal law, it is widely used across the United States, with tens of millions reporting use in recent years. A growing number of states have already legalized it for medical or recreational purposes, further highlighting the gap between federal policy and state-level regulation.
The current effort builds on a review process initiated during the administration of Joe Biden, when federal health officials recommended reconsidering marijuana’s classification. If finalized, the new designation could ease regulatory burdens on the cannabis industry and open the door to more comprehensive medical research—without fully lifting the federal ban.
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