Trump Administration Preparing to Loosen Marijuana Laws

Trump Administration Preparing to Loosen Marijuana Laws

Trump Administration Preparing to Loose Marijuana Laws

What’s Happening?

US President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to loosen federal marijuana laws. Reports indicate that the Trump administration plans to reclassify marijuana from its most stringent category to a less risky category, a major change to US federal controlled substances law.

This move will not legalize marijuana, but it could ease the path for research, industrial investment, and medical use.

Current Status of Marijuana (Schedule I)

Until now, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug under federal law. This means it is considered a substance with “high addictive potential and no recognized medical use”—like heroine and LSD. This status has existed since the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.

This classification is due to laws that state that marijuana use is high-risk and has no general health benefits, although medical and social research is challenging this notion.

Trump Administration Proposal: Schedule III

The Trump administration is considering moving marijuana to Schedule III—that is, substances that are considered low-risk and may have medicinal uses.

What would Schedule III entail?

Marijuana would be considered a mild-risk substance, treated like a common drug, rather than subject to more stringent controls.

This status would, while not legalization, reduce legal barriers.

It could promote research and medical use.

Some tax and banking problems could also be addressed.

However, the White House has clarified that “no final decisions have been made yet.”

What are the discussions within the administration?

Trump is expected to soon issue an executive order that would direct federal agencies to work toward changing the classification of marijuana. This order will not directly change the law, but senior officials could take steps in this direction.

Key government officials, such as the Secretary of Health and the head of CMS, have been involved in discussions on this issue.

Why the change?

Nearly 40 US states, including D.C. and some territories, have already approved marijuana for legal or medical use. This means there is an imbalance between federal and state laws.

In addition:

The marijuana industry has grown to a market worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Research and drug research has been hampered by strict federal regulations.

Social and medical research is confirming some of the uses of marijuana.

These are reasons why the federal government is now taking it more seriously than ever before.

Political Reactions
Opposition

Some groups and politicians, especially those who support decriminalization, are opposing this move. They say such a decision could increase drug use, especially among youth.

Support

On the contrary, many industry groups, medical experts, and some politicians are hailing this as a welcome move. They say it will aid research, tax reform, and medical access.

Public Opinion

Recent surveys show that a large majority of Americans want relaxed marijuana regulations at the federal level. However, support has declined among some political groups, particularly Republicans.

Legal and Social Impact

Federal vs. State Law Gap:
States already have varying laws—some legalize recreational use, while others only allow medical use. Loosening federal regulations would narrow that gap but not completely legalize it.

Research and Medical Studies:
Becoming under the Schedule III category is considered to make research and drug development easier, as the FDA and DEA’s stringent procedures have previously hindered research.

What’s Next?

The Trump administration has not yet made a final decision, but experts believe a decision on whether to include it in Schedule III could be made in the coming weeks or months.

This policy change regarding marijuana will not merely be a change in the law, but signals a major shift in the nature of federal policy.

Conclusion

• The Trump administration is preparing to loosen federal marijuana laws.
• The proposal is to reclassify it from Schedule I to Schedule III.
• This could reduce legal and research barriers.
• There is backlash from both opponents and supporters.
• No decision has been finalized yet.