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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order on April 23 to reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana<\/a> as a less dangerous drug. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n This major shift in policy does not legalize cannabis<\/a> for recreational or medical use under federal law. However, reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III drug changes how it\u2019s regulated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For instance, licensed medical cannabis businesses will receive tax breaks. Researchers studying the drug\u2019s effects will run into fewer roadblocks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The move aligns with advocates who\u2019ve long said the substance shouldn\u2019t be held in the same regard as drugs like heroin by the federal government.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Trump told the press<\/a> that he had received several phone calls pleading for restrictions to be lifted. In December, he told his administration to move quickly on reclassifying cannabis. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump\u2019s promise to expand Americans\u2019 access to medical treatment options,\u201d Blanche said in a statement<\/a> issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThis rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The move to reclassify marijuana focuses on medical cannabis and products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Trump administration has scheduled a June hearing<\/a> that will provide a pathway for evaluating broader changes to cannabis status under federal law. For now, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Most states allow recreational use, medical use, or both. Only This means that anyone researching or selling cannabis in a state where it was legal was subject to federal prosecution. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Currently, cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I<\/a> drug in the same class as LSD and heroin, which have significant potential for abuse and \u201cno currently accepted medical use.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug puts it in the same bracket as Tylenol mixed with codeine<\/a>: Medically beneficial drugs with low potential for abuse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although this change will not be welcomed in all quarters, public sentiment is broadly aligned. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n A 2025 Gallup poll<\/a>, for instance, showed that support in the United States for cannabis legalization had almost doubled from 36% in 2005 to 64%. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Currently, businesses in states that allow medical or recreational cannabis use face significant headaches. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n While their business may be entirely legal in their state, it is illegal at the federal level, making banking and tax compliance challenging. This new legal change will make a significant difference.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Terry Mendez<\/a>, CEO of Safe Harbor Financial, a company that works with the cannabis industry, called the order \u201cthe most significant federal action on cannabis policy in more than 50 years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n From a business standpoint, changes in how taxes are collected will have the greatest impact. Now, for the first time, state-licensed medical cannabis companies will be able to deduct business expenses on their federal taxes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n On the same point, Anthony Coniglio<\/a>, CEO at NewLake Capital Partners, Inc<\/a>, said that this \u201cis a material shift not only for operators and patients, but also for investors, lenders, and real estate partners evaluating the cannabis sector.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Similarly, Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original<\/a>, a provider of medical cannabis, told Healthline that the move is \u201ca significant step for Texans who will benefit from easier access to needed medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Industry aside, scientists will benefit from this shift in cannabis regulation. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n With easier access to the drug and a significant reduction in red tape, it will be much easier (and cheaper) to investigate cannabis for the treatment of health conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Sasha Kalcheff-Korn<\/a> is the executive director of Realm of Caring, a nonprofit that provides information about cannabinoid therapies, conducts research, and awards research grants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cRescheduling will make it easier to complete this research and conduct future studies,\u201d Kalcheff-Korn told Healthline. \u201cHelping build the scientific foundation behind what many patients already experience: cannabinoid therapies may offer meaningful relief for a range of symptoms and conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In agreement, Steven Gregoire<\/a>, president of Quiet Monk CBD, told Healthline, \u201cUnder the current classification, Schedule I, it is very restrictive in how, when, and if research can be conducted.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWhen reclassified to a schedule III,\u201d he continued, \u201cit increases the supply for research, allowing for more studies and research on the drug and its benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Researchers and cannabis-based businesses seem, in general, pleased with this new move \u2014 although some believe it hasn\u2019t gone far enough. Others we contacted, however, are more cautious.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThis decision underscores just how quickly the policy landscape around marijuana is changing,\u201d said Pam Jenkins<\/a>, CEO of Shatterproof, a nonprofit dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAs states evaluate access to these products, we have a responsibility to ensure that young people are protected, that clinicians have clear guidance, and that the public understands the real risks \u2014 especially when it comes to youth mental health<\/a>,\u201d Jenkins told Healthline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve seen what can happen when public health lags behind access,\u201d she continued. \u201cWe cannot afford to repeat those mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Kevin Sabet<\/a>, the chief executive of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, believes<\/a> this change in the law will \u201csend a confusing message\u201d to the public about the safety of cannabis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWith this move, we are now confronted with the most pro-drug administration in our history,\u201d he said. \u201cPolicy is now being dictated by marijuana CEOs, psychedelics investors, and podcasters in active addiction.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n