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Trump's Marijuana Shift: Why Reclassifying Cannabis Sparks Research Boom

President Trump has taken a significant step in changing federal drug policy by reclassifying marijuana. The executive order moves cannabis from the most restrictive category to one that allows for easier scientific study. This decision aims to unlock research potential but explicitly does not legalize recreational use. The action follows a trend of growing public support and builds on previous administrative efforts to reform marijuana laws.

Key Points: Trump Reclassifies Marijuana to Schedule III for Research

  • Trump's order fast-tracks marijuana from Schedule I to the less restrictive Schedule III category
  • The change eases approval for scientific research on cannabis and its potential uses
  • The move aligns with state-level legalization trends but does not legalize recreational use
  • Public support for marijuana legalization has nearly doubled over the past two decades
2 min read

Trump loosens curbs on Marijuana, encourages research

President Trump signs order moving marijuana to Schedule III, easing research restrictions while stopping short of federal legalization. Learn the impact.

"It leads to tremendous amounts of research that can't be done unless you reclassify - Donald Trump"

Washington DC, December 19

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday (local time) to federally reclassify marijuana as less dangerous, Al Jazeera reported.

The move on Thursday requires Attorney General Pam Bondi to expedite the process under the Drug Enforcement Administration for reclassifying marijuana.

In the US, drugs and other chemical substances are divided into a five-tier classification system, with Schedule I representing the most restricted tier and Schedule V the least, as per Al Jazeera.

Marijuana was previously in the Schedule I category, where it was classed alongside potent narcotics like heroin and LSD. With Thursday's order, it would be fast-tracked down to Schedule III, in a class with ketamine and anabolic steroids.

Trump said the change "is not the legalisation" of marijuana, and he added that it "in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug," as per Al Jazeera.

The change, however, will make it easier to conduct research on marijuana, as studies on Schedule III drugs require far less approval than for Schedule I substances.

Speaking earlier in the week, Trump told reporters the change was popular "because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can't be done unless you reclassify, so we are looking at that very strongly".

The change is in line with several states that have moved to legalise marijuana for both medical and recreational use. That has created a patchwork of state-level regulations at odds with federal law, wherein marijuana remains illegal.

Former US President Joe Biden had taken several steps to lessen federal penalties related to marijuana, including a mass pardon for those handed harsh sentences for simple possession, as per Al Jazeera.

Such convictions had disproportionately affected minority communities and fuelled mass incarceration in the US.

The Biden administration had also begun the process of reclassifying marijuana to Schedule III, but the effort was not completed before Biden left office in January, as per Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, public support for legalising marijuana for recreational use has nearly doubled in recent years, increasing from 36 percent support in 2005 to 68 percent in 2024, according to Gallup polls, as per Al Jazeera.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As someone who has lived in both countries, the contrast is stark. The US is moving towards decriminalization state by state, while in India, possession can still land you in serious trouble. The research angle is smart—let science guide policy, not just stigma.
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Vikram M
Good step for research, but Trump saying it's "not legalisation" is just political talk. It's clearly the first step. In our culture, we need to be very careful. We already have enough issues with substance abuse among youth. We don't need to glamorize this. 🇮🇳
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Priya S
The part about minority communities being disproportionately affected is crucial. Similar things happen here with certain laws. Any policy change should aim to correct past injustices, not just ease restrictions for big businesses. Hope they keep that in mind.
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Rohit P
Biden started it, Trump is finishing it. Shows how public opinion is changing everywhere. 68% support is huge! In India, the debate is still very conservative. Maybe in 10 years we'll also have a more nuanced discussion based on evidence, not fear.
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Michael C
Respectfully, I think this is being overhyped. Moving from Schedule I to III is a bureaucratic change. It's still a controlled substance. The real story is the state vs federal law conflict. That "patchwork" they mention causes more problems than this order solves.

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