Trump expands access to cannabis in a major shift in drug policy

December 18, 2025

President Trump has issued an executive order directing the reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal drug policy, representing a major potential shift in how the substance is regulated nationwide. While cannabis would remain federally illegal, the new classification would treat it similarly to drugs like codeine-containing medications, enabling expanded medical research and providing tax benefits to state-licensed dispensaries. The order also establishes a program allowing certain Medicaid recipients to access CBD products at no cost with doctor approval.

Who is affected

State-authorized cannabis dispensaries (tax implications)
Medicaid recipients who will gain access to CBD products
Cannabis researchers who can conduct expanded studies
Americans in 24 states where recreational cannabis is legal and other states with medical cannabis programs
Republican lawmakers who oppose the change
Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Drug Enforcement Agency
Health officials tasked with studying CBD

What action is being taken

President Trump has signed an executive order directing cannabis reclassification
The attorney general is being directed to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III
White House officials are working with Congress on CBD access
Health officials are developing methods and models to examine health benefits and risks of CBD
A new program is being established to provide Medicaid recipients access to CBD at no cost

Why it matters

This represents the most significant shift in US drug policy in decades, with substantial practical implications. The reclassification would enable expanded scientific research into cannabis's potential medical benefits, which has been severely restricted under Schedule I status. State-authorized dispensaries would gain important tax deductions previously unavailable to sellers of Schedule I products, potentially strengthening state-legal cannabis businesses. The move acknowledges the gap between federal policy and state-level reality, where nearly half of US states have already legalized recreational use and a majority have approved medical cannabis.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC