Trump moves to reclassify marijuana, taking it off most restrictive list in US
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday approved an executive order to reclassify marijuana, which would open the door for more cannabis research, although it would not directly legalize it, according to Axios.
Currently, marijuana remains a Schedule I drug in the US, belonging to the same category as LSD, ecstasy, and heroin. This classification restricts the production, distribution, dispensing, and storage of these substances, except when necessary for federal research purposes.
The reclassification to Schedule III, which Trump approved, would move marijuana into the same category as ketamine and steroids. This is expected to open the door for potential medical use and research, although that should not be expected anytime soon.
It is reported that this step does not legalize marijuana immediately, nor will it affect prison sentences for possession.
"The move has been requested by American patients suffering from extreme pain, incurable diseases, aggressive cancers, seizure disorders, neurological problems, and more," Trump said on Thursday.
According to the DEA, a drug's schedule is determined based on the substance's medical use, abuse potential, and safety or dependence risk.
The process of reclassifying a drug can take years and requires certain efforts from the US Drug Enforcement Administration. This includes obtaining information from government agencies, the general public, and scientific groups.
By implementing reclassification, the federal government also exposes itself to the risk of lawsuits and court decisions.
The initiative to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug was introduced by former President Joe Biden back in 2022, which gives an idea of how long Trump's step might take.
Medicines based on medical cannabis are allowed in 56 countries around the world, including EU states, the UK, the US, and Canada. In 2024, medical cannabis was also legalized in Ukraine.
As reported, the law on cannabis legalization in Ukraine allows the use of hemp-based medicines, their production, and scientific research.
