President Trump made a significant move. He signed an executive order. This order reclassified marijuana. The date was December 18, 2025. This order changes federal drug policy. It moves cannabis from Schedule I. It is now a Schedule III controlled substance. This marks a major shift.
Marijuana was a Schedule I drug for decades. This meant high abuse potential. It had no accepted medical use. Such classification hindered research greatly. Many states legalized cannabis. Federal law lagged behind significantly. This created a policy conflict. The Biden administration also explored rescheduling. HHS recommended a move to Schedule III.
This policy change followed intense lobbying. The cannabis industry pushed hard for reform. Industry groups and companies spent millions. They donated to Trump’s political organizations. Figures like Howard Kessler and Kim Rivers influenced Trump. These negotiations show politics and business entwined [Initial Context]. Trump stated he received many calls for this action. He noted people suffer from great pain.
Some Republicans opposed the move. They warned of health and safety risks. However, Trump cited patient needs. He mentioned those with extreme pain. He also noted its potential medical uses. It could substitute for opioids.
The move to Schedule III offers key benefits. It eases scientific research. Researchers can now study marijuana more easily. They can assess its benefits and dangers. This can lead to new medical treatments. It also impacts the cannabis industry. Tax burdens may lessen significantly. Businesses might deduct normal expenses. This could save billions in federal taxes. Banking access and investment may improve too.
The order also addresses CBD and hemp products. It seeks to expand access to CBD. Congress may update the definition of hemp. This aims for safe CBD products. It also restricts risky ones. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp. Hemp has low THC levels.
However, this is not full federal legalization. Recreational use remains illegal federally. Federal penalties still exist for possession. Many states have their own laws. The DEA must still finalize the process. Some groups fear it signals marijuana is safer than it is. The industry still faces hurdles.
President Trump’s order marks a turning point. It eases research barriers. It offers economic hope for businesses. This shift reflects growing public support. Industry influence played a key role [Initial Context]. The cannabis industry is trending globally [Keyword: trending]. This news is important for cannabis news [Keyword: news]. Related topics include health policy [Keyword: related]. While not full legalization, it’s a step forward. The future holds more developments. Perhaps cultural shifts will include more cannabis-related music and art.
