President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order on December 18, 2025, instructing the attorney general to accelerate the federal rulemaking process for reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The directive aims to enhance medical research on cannabis and cannabidiol products, addressing long-standing barriers to scientific study and patient guidance.
The order emphasizes the need for improved access to treatments, citing a 2023 Food and Drug Administration review that identified scientific support for marijuana’s use in treating anorexia related to medical conditions, nausea and vomiting, and pain. It notes that chronic pain affects nearly one in four U.S. adults and more than one in three seniors, with six in 10 medical marijuana users reporting pain management as their primary reason. Forty states and the District of Columbia operate regulated medical marijuana programs, yet federal Schedule I status has restricted research on safety and efficacy.
“Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III is long overdue and an important acknowledgment of the science-backed medical benefits recognized by patients for decades,” said Ben Kovler, CEO of Green Thumb Industries. “Across the United States, millions of registered patients rely on cannabis for relief from a wide range of chronic conditions and debilitating symptoms. We commend the administration for taking this historic step, while recognizing it is only the beginning. True federal reform is still needed to allow the cannabis industry to reach its full potential and meet growing demand nationwide. At Green Thumb, we remain committed to advocating for lasting change that will expand access and deliver well-being to even more Americans.”
The executive order follows a 2023 recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Drug Enforcement Administration, determining that marijuana has accepted medical uses based on over 30,000 licensed practitioners recommending it for more than six million patients across 43 jurisdictions to treat at least 15 conditions. The Food and Drug Administration found credible evidence for its efficacy in pain, anorexia, and chemotherapy-induced nausea, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse concurring. In May 2024, the Department of Justice proposed a rule to reschedule, which drew nearly 43,000 public comments and awaits an administrative hearing.
Schedule I substances are defined as having no accepted medical use and high abuse potential, while Schedule III drugs have lower abuse potential, accepted medical uses, and moderate dependence risks. Rescheduling would not legalize marijuana federally but would facilitate research by removing stringent controls on Schedule I substances. It could also eliminate Section 280E tax restrictions, allowing cannabis businesses to deduct ordinary expenses, potentially saving the industry billions annually.
The order also addresses hemp-derived cannabinoids, including cannabidiol, noting their use by one in five adults and nearly 15 percent of seniors for symptom relief. It directs coordination with Congress to update definitions under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, establishing regulatory frameworks for tetrahydrocannabinol limits per serving and container, and cannabidiol-to-tetrahydrocannabinol ratios. Agencies such as Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and National Institutes of Health must develop real-world evidence models to inform standards and improve access.
Bipartisan lawmakers have called the move a step forward but urged further actions, including banking reforms, sentencing adjustments, and full legalization. Republican attorneys general expressed concerns over continued criminalization and enforcement challenges in a statement to the administration.
In Maryland, where medical cannabis has been legal since 2014 and recreational use since July 2023, the reclassification has been welcomed by industry leaders. Business owners anticipate reduced tax burdens and easier banking, according to a local report. The state collected $18.4 million in cannabis tax revenue during the second quarter of 2025, per state records detailed in a Southern Maryland report.
However, public health data shows complexities. A Maryland Department of Health dashboard indicates cannabis-related emergency room visits rose ahead of recreational legalization, with ongoing monitoring of poison control calls and treatment admissions. Health experts highlight risks for youth, noting potential impacts on developing brains and long-term emotional health.
The Controlled Substances Act, enacted in 1970, established the scheduling system to regulate drugs based on medical value and abuse potential. Marijuana was placed in Schedule I amid the War on Drugs, despite petitions for rescheduling dating back to 1972. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the definition of marijuana, spurring a cannabidiol market, but inconsistencies persist, as some products may revert to controlled status under recent laws.
Analysts project rescheduling could boost the cannabis sector by attracting investment and standardizing products, though full implementation depends on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s final rule. The executive order specifies no new rights or benefits are created, and implementation aligns with existing laws and appropriations.
The order’s focus on vulnerable populations, including seniors and veterans, aligns with surveys showing 20 percent of veterans reducing opioid use through medical marijuana. One in 10 seniors used cannabis last year, with some evidence of improved quality of life. Yet, patient surveys reveal only 56 percent of older users discuss it with providers, heightening risks of interactions.
As the rulemaking proceeds, stakeholders monitor for broader reforms. Industry groups like the U.S. Cannabis Council advocate for descheduling to end federal-state conflicts. In Maryland, the Cannabis Administration oversees licensing and equity initiatives, ensuring minority-owned businesses participate.
This development marks the most significant federal cannabis policy shift since the 1970s, potentially reshaping research, commerce, and public health approaches nationwide.