President Donald Trump today signed an executive order expediting the reclassification of cannabis as a less dangerous drug—moving it from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
The president was joined by several medical leaders during the signing, including Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz; Dr. Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse; FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary; and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., among others.
Before announcing that he was signing an order to reschedule marijuana, the President said: “I’ve got a distinguished group behind me. They are mostly brilliant medical people, and they know exactly what they’re talking about.”
Trump highlighted the overwhelming public support that the reclassification has received, saying it polled 82% in favour and would help “patients live a better life.” The rescheduling of marijuana is different from legalization. He said, “I would like to make it clear the order that I’m about sign does not legalize cannabis in any shape or form.”
Substances classified as Schedule I have a “high abuse potential with no accepted medical use; medications within this schedule may not be prescribed, dispensed or administered,” states the National Library of Medicine. The National Library of Medicine currently classifies heroin, LSD MDMA and marijuana as Schedule I drugs. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency proposed last spring that this substance be added to Schedule III, which has a lower potential for abuse, and is accepted as a medical treatment. Schedule III substances include anabolic steroids, ketamine and testosterone.
Although today’s Executive Order falls short of legalization in full, it marks the biggest reversal in US Drug Policy in recent decades. The decision may have a wide range of effects, including on cannabis industries, law enforcement agencies and research funding.
Eugenio Garca, Cannabis Now’s CEO and founder, said: “Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III represents a significant step forward. It will give legal cannabis businesses the opportunity to access basic banking services, tax breaks, and other tools that are needed for them to function like any industry.” “While this progress is welcome, true reform must also include justice—no one should remain incarcerated for cannabis as the nation moves toward acceptance and regulation. It is time to correct the economic cost and unlock new opportunities.
Jamie Pearson, the president and founding member of New Holland Group, commented on both the industry’s progress and the remaining work: “Today’s executive action represents a significant and long overdue step towards aligning federal policies with medical realities. “Reclassifying Cannabis to Schedule III is a step that acknowledges cannabis’ accepted medical use, and it begins to remove the structural barriers in research and clinical guidance as well as responsible access,” says Pearson. Trump’s supporters and he himself largely echoed this sentiment during the signing.
“That being said, rescheduling doesn’t legalize, and it does not solve all of the challenges the industry is facing in terms of regulation or economics,” says she. The real challenge now is to implement the policy in a thoughtful manner, making sure that public safety, research and patient access are all progressing together and that it’s clear what we want. It is a positive step forward, which should be viewed with optimism as well as discipline.
Reactions to the prospect of moving cannabis from Schedule I into Schedule III have been swift and diverse across political landscapes and cannabis cultures.
Dave Marrow CEO of Lume Cannabis MI commented: “It is a sign of incredible leadership that the President has the courage to lead the way on marijuana reform.”
“Today’s executive order to classify cannabis represents a significant step towards aligning federal policy and science with economic realities. The move to Schedule III recognizes cannabis’ medical benefits while providing clarity on how it is grown, researched and commercialized. This shift, while not the end goal, will help to accelerate innovation and unlock investment, and allow professional operators and cultivators to continue raising standards in the cannabis industry. We at FOHSE Lighting see this as a real step forward for the sustainable growth of cannabis cultivation, says FOHSE Lighting’s CEO and co-founder Brett Stevens.
The attendees congratulated Trump on his initiative in the case. Kennedy Jr. thanked Trump for his leadership, vision and bringing this matter to a close. This is a question of science that has divided the country for years.
Trump let those who were with him weigh in. This reinforced their common view that more research on cannabis was essential to advance medical understanding and improve quality of life. “Research” is vital. “Yes, cannabis can become addictive. But we must not close our eyes when it comes to research,” said he. Â We need to research cannabis and find out how it can be used optimally.
Putting pen to paper, Trump said, Â “It’s an honor to do this.”