Trump administration reclassifies cannabis as less dangerous

April 23, 2026

The US Department of Justice has reclassified certain cannabis products from Schedule I to Schedule III controlled substances, representing a significant policy shift in how the federal government categorizes marijuana. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche made the change for FDA-covered cannabis products and those with state medical licenses, placing them in the same category as prescription medications like codeine-containing Tylenol rather than heroin. The reclassification, directed by President Trump, aims to facilitate increased medical research and patient access to cannabis treatments, though marijuana remains federally illegal.

Who is affected

Patients seeking medical marijuana treatment
Doctors and medical researchers studying cannabis
Marijuana businesses operating under state laws
State governments with existing medical or recreational marijuana programs
Americans in most US states where marijuana is already legal at the state level
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml) and other advocacy groups

What action is being taken

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is reclassifying certain marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III
The Department of Justice is holding a hearing in June as part of a rule-making process to reclassify all marijuana more broadly
The rule change is being published in the Federal Register with a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect

Why it matters

This reclassification represents a fundamental shift in federal drug policy after 50 years of treating marijuana as having no accepted medical use and high abuse potential. The change opens doors for legitimate medical research into cannabis safety and efficacy, which has been severely restricted under Schedule I classification. It also allows policymakers to have serious conversations about marijuana reform without being constrained by the Schedule I definition, potentially bridging the gap between federal prohibition and the reality that most states have already legalized marijuana in some form.

What's next

The rule change will be published in the Federal Register and takes effect 30 days after publication
Legal challenges are expected during the 30-day period, which could block implementation for months or years
A hearing will be held in June to consider reclassifying all marijuana more broadly
Advocacy groups like Norml will continue pushing for complete federal de-scheduling and legalization of cannabis

Read full article from source: BBC