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In a move stirring both anticipation and uncertainty, Trump's cannabis reclassification effort has taken a decisive step, signaling a shift that could ripple through healthcare, research and politics across the United States.

More than four months after Donald Trump signed an executive order directing a change, the administration has formally begun reclassifying marijuana under federal law — a move likened by observers to loosening a tightly wound spring in America’s long-running drug policy.

From Schedule I to Schedule III

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed the order Thursday, initiating the transition of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

Previously grouped with substances like heroin, LSD, MDMA and synthetic opioids, marijuana’s Schedule I status marked it as having high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. The shift to Schedule III places it alongside drugs such as ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone — a significant recalibration in federal classification.

Blanche said in a post that the Department of Justice is “delivering on President Trump’s promise to improve American healthcare,” emphasizing that the change could unlock more precise and rigorous research.

“These actions will enable more targeted research into marijuana’s safety and efficacy,” he noted, adding that doctors may soon have better tools to guide treatment decisions.

A Push for Broader Drug Policy Reform

The reclassification comes just days after Trump signed another executive order accelerating the review of psychedelic substances, including ibogaine — a compound derived from a West African shrub long classified among the most restricted drugs.

That directive could open doors for expanded medical research into psychedelic therapies, signaling a broader pivot in federal drug policy.

At the signing, Trump voiced frustration with delays in marijuana rescheduling, accusing officials of dragging their feet.

“You’re going to get it done, right?” he pressed, reflecting impatience with what he described as a slow-moving process within federal agencies.

Limits of the Policy Shift

Despite its symbolic weight, Trump's cannabis reclassification does not immediately legalize marijuana nationwide. Nor does it alter sentences for individuals currently incarcerated for possession-related offenses.

Legal constraints remain firmly in place. Marijuana businesses will still face banking hurdles tied to anti-money laundering regulations, and transporting Schedule III substances across state lines without authorization remains illegal.

Even as laws evolve, the patchwork nature of state policies persists. Marijuana is already legal in some form in 40 U.S. states, yet federal restrictions continue to cast a long shadow over the industry.