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Trump's Executive Order: Cannabis Shift to Schedule III?

12/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump plans an executive order to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, acknowledging its medical use.
The move could ease restrictions and expand banking and tax access for cannabis companies, potentially affecting states like Maine and Massachusetts.
It would not legalize recreational cannabis at the federal level.
Trump discussed the plan with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who opposes the change.

History

Historical Context

The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, introduced by Rep. Robert L. Doughton, marked the first federal regulation of cannabis, imposing heavy taxes and criminalizing its use. This act faced backlash, leading to its repeal in 1970 after the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. Trump's recent plan to reclassify cannabis could reverse decades of stigma and reshape the industry, enhancing access to banking and tax benefits.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump plans an executive order to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, acknowledging its medical use.
The move could ease restrictions and expand banking and tax access for cannabis companies, potentially affecting states like Maine and Massachusetts.
It would not legalize recreational cannabis at the federal level.
Trump discussed the plan with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who opposes the change.

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