On December 18, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to begin the process of reclassifying marijuana. This action would move cannabis out of its current status as a Schedule I controlled substance-the category reserved for drugs considered to have a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical use-and place it in a lower-risk category. The move is seen as one of the most significant federal cannabis policy shifts in decades. (abcnews.go.com)
Under current federal law, marijuana is classified alongside drugs such as heroin and LSD as a Schedule I substance. The executive order calls for its reclassification to Schedule III, a category generally reserved for substances that have recognized medical applications and comparatively lower abuse potential. (abcnews.go.com)
Officials from the White House stated that the reclassification aims to facilitate scientific and medical research on cannabis and its derivatives, particularly for conditions such as chronic pain. The administration emphasized that the order is intended to expand opportunities for legitimate research and improve understanding of the potential benefits and risks of marijuana, rather than to fully legalize its use at the federal level. (abcnews.go.com)
It is important to note that marijuana remains illegal under federal law for possession or distribution, except where Congress takes further legislative action. The executive order primarily initiates a formal process, and further steps by relevant federal agencies will be required before the reclassification takes full effect. (abcnews.go.com)
