U.S. Acting Attorney General (AG) Todd Blanche announced the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) reclassification of state-licensed and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved marijuana as a less dangerous drug, as part of the Trump administration’s “promise to improve American healthcare.”
In a post on X, AG Blanche confirmed the immediate rescheduling of federal and state-approved cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, “under the decisive leadership of [President Donald Trump].”
The order reclassifying the substance does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under federal law, but it does change the way the drug is regulated.
What Are The Classifications?
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Schedule I drugs are considered substances with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
The shift towards Schedule III would define Cannabis as a drug with “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.”
New Order's Initiatives
In the post, AG Blanche confirms that the signed order will mandate “a new, expedited hearing with set deadlines, to fully reschedule marijuana.” According to The Associated Press (AP), the hearing is set to begin in late June.
The initiative also grants licensed cannabis operators a large tax break, while easing restrictions on the substance’s research.
“These actions will enable more targeted, rigorous research into marijuana's safety and efficacy, expanding patients' access to treatments and empowering doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions,” AG Blanche affirmed.
Trump Administration's Role on Drugs
In December 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing his administration to begin efforts to reclassify the drug as quickly as possible.
The directive marks a major policy shift for the U.S. government, which has prohibited marijuana for nearly 90 years.
President Trump has shown progressive efforts towards drugs throughout his second term. Over the weekend, the president issued another proclamation ordering his administration to expedite reviews on certain psychedelic drugs to combat opioid addiction and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
