The Trump administration is taking decisive action to modernize federal drug policy, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announcing the reclassification of cannabis products covered by the FDA or state medical licenses from Schedule I to Schedule III.
This shift places these substances in the same category as Tylenol with codeine, moving away from the restrictive Schedule I designation that has been in place since 1970. The move comes as a direct result of President Trump’s directive to increase access and research capabilities.
Blanche emphasized that the administration is delivering on its promise to provide patients with better care and doctors with more reliable data regarding safety and efficacy. While marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, the administration’s action acknowledges the reality of the existing patchwork of state-level regulations.
Beyond this initial change, Blanche has ordered a hearing for June to consider a broader reclassification of all marijuana. The rule change is subject to a 30-day window following its publication in the Federal Register, during which legal challenges are anticipated.
This policy shift follows the President’s recent executive order aimed at expanding access to psychedelic drugs for medical treatment, signaling a broader push to prioritize research-backed medical options over outdated bureaucratic hurdles.
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