The order instructs the attorney general to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, placing it in the same category as medicines like Tylenol with codeine. It would still be illegal at the federal level, but this shift would open the door to far more research into its possible medical benefits.
Not everyone is cheering. Several Republican lawmakers warned that the move could make cannabis seem more acceptable and encourage wider use.
The Drug Enforcement Agency points out that drugs in Schedule III, including ketamine and anabolic steroids, are considered to have only a moderate to low risk of dependence.
Inside the Oval Office, Trump said that people across the country have been pleading for change, especially those living with cancer, seizure disorders, severe chronic pain, and veterans dealing with service related injuries. He compared cannabis to prescription painkillers that can help when used correctly but can also cause serious harm.
The reclassification also matters for money. State licensed cannabis dispensaries could finally gain access to certain tax deductions that are currently off limits because cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance.
Beyond rescheduling, Trump is directing White House officials to work with Congress on expanding access to cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD. Health officials are also being asked to develop new ways to study the real world benefits and risks of CBD.
A senior administration official described the order as a common sense step that will finally allow the country to understand cannabis and CBD with better science.
