Trump Considers Easing Federal Restrictions on Marijuana Laws

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to address federal marijuana laws, potentially issuing an executive order that could reshape the legal landscape for cannabis in the United States as early as next week. This development comes at a time when support for marijuana legalization among Republicans appears to be waning, despite a majority of Americans favoring reform.

The proposed order would direct federal agencies to reassess marijuana’s classification, which currently places it alongside drugs such as heroin and LSD, under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This classification labels marijuana as having “no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” a categorization that seems increasingly outdated given that 45 states have legalized cannabis in some form for either medical or recreational use.

Trump previously expressed support for cannabis reform during his campaign. He endorsed Florida’s legalization ballot measure, stating, “I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use.” By August, he was discussing the idea of reclassification, acknowledging the divided opinions on the subject: “Some people like it, some people hate it.”

Recent polling from Gallup indicates that support for marijuana legalization has surged from 36 percent to 64 percent over the last two decades. Despite this shift in public opinion, Republican enthusiasm for legalization appears to be declining. Reports indicate that House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed concerns during a conversation on December 10, 2023, suggesting that Trump may face resistance from conservative lawmakers who remain wary of cannabis, viewing it as a potential gateway drug.

Trump’s potential move to ease federal restrictions on marijuana is not occurring in a vacuum. In 2022, then-President Joe Biden initiated a review of marijuana’s classification, leading to a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services in 2023 to reclassify cannabis to Schedule III. This category is designated for substances with “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” Although Biden’s administration proposed a formal rule change in 2024, it has yet to progress.

The contrast in Trump’s drug policies is notable. His administration has taken a hardline approach against international drug trafficking, exemplified by military strikes on suspected drug vessels off the coast of Venezuela. In contrast, his stance on marijuana appears more lenient, reflecting the growth of the legal cannabis industry and a significant shift in public sentiment.

While an executive order would not legalize marijuana nationwide, it could significantly reduce barriers for research on cannabis and ease challenges for cannabis businesses regarding banking and taxation. A White House official noted that “no final decisions have been made on the rescheduling of marijuana,” indicating that the administration is still weighing the potential political implications.

The longstanding federal classification of marijuana as a Schedule I substance has increasingly clashed with the realities of state laws and public opinion. A shift towards reclassifying cannabis could signal a pivotal moment in U.S. drug policy, but it remains uncertain whether Trump will proceed with the executive order. The outcome could either align federal policy with the majority of the American public or leave the cannabis industry in a frustrating legal limbo, where it is recognized as lawful under state law yet remains illegal under federal statute.