The White House of President Donald Trump says that the decision to decriminalize cannabis in Washington, D.C. was an “failed policy” which “opened the doors to disorder.”
In a fact sheet about an executive order that Trump signed on Friday—which is broadly aimed at beautifying the District and making it more safe—the White House listed several local policies in the nation’s capital that it takes issue with, including cannabis reform. This is despite President Trump having previously expressed his support for states’ rights in marijuana laws.
“D.C.’s failed policies opened the door to disorder—and criminals noticed,” it says, citing “marijuana decriminalization,” as well as the District’s decision to end pre-trial detentions and enforcement practices around rioters, as examples of such policies.
It doesn’t specifically mention marijuana in the executive order. It says, however, that the directive involves “deploying a robust Federal law-enforcement presence” and “coordinating with local authorities to facilitate deployment of a robust local law-enforcement presence as appropriate, in or around D.C.,” and will include “addressing drug possession, use and sale.”
With respect to the fact sheet circulated by the White House, cannabis possession and personal cultivation is legalized in D.C. under a voter-approved ballot initiative, though commercial sales of non-medical marijuana remain illegal (a policy referred to by some as “decriminalization”).
Due to a congressional rider, which has been renewed annually since the vote, officials in the District have been forced to take steps to increase the existing medical cannabis program.
As did Biden, Trump’s successor as President, during his first term he continued to request that the D.C. Rider be included in all budget requests.
But as advocates and industry stakeholders have waited to see how the Trump administration will navigate cannabis policy issues during this second term—and whether the president will push for reforms such as rescheduling and banking access as he endorsed on the campaign trail—the fact that his White House’s first public mention of marijuana links decriminalization to disorder is hardly encouraging.
The prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana cheered the White House’s messaging, adding that “Washington DC did not just decriminalize private marijuana use for adults—it’s opened the door to total legalization, which can be smelled on virtually every street today.”
Washington DC did not just decriminalize private marijuana use for adults—it’s opened the door to total legalization, which can be smelled on virtually every street today.
— SAM (@learnaboutsam) March 28, 2025
This comes one day after former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)—President Donald Trump’s first pick for U.S. attorney general this term before he withdrew from consideration—said in an op-ed that “meaningful” marijuana reform is “on the horizon” under the current administration, praising the president’s “leadership” in supporting rescheduling.
Former lawmaker Joe Biden’s column fails to mention that he initiated the review of rescheduling that led federal agencies recommend reclassification. While it is true that during the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump publicly endorsed this policy in a post on social media, since his election he hasn’t discussed marijuana-related issues.
Due to complications involving certain witnesses, the current administrative rescheduling is being delayed. The judge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who oversees the process, has postponed hearings about the proposal until near the end Biden’s tenure. There were also questions as to whether DEA’s leadership supported the proposal despite its role as “promoter” of the policy.
Trump’s choices for top administration positions come along with an assortment of cannabis records.
As an example, President Bush chose former Florida Attorney general Pam Bondi (R), and the Senate confirmed this choice. During her confirmation hearings, Bondi declined to say how she planned to navigate key marijuana policy issues. As attorney general of Florida, Bondi opposed the legalization of medical marijuana.
Adding to the uncertainty around the fate of the rescheduling proposal, Trump’s nominee to lead DEA, Terrance Cole, has previously voiced concerns about the dangers of marijuana and linked its use to higher suicide risk among youth.
The stakeholders have tried to take advantage of Trump’s support for rescheduling. They appeal to Trump by framing this issue as an opportunity to help veterans and patients. The thinking is that a directive from Trump will not be ignored, no matter what other members of his administration think.
To that point, a marijuana industry-funded political action committee (PAC) is attacking Biden’s cannabis policy record as well as the nation of Canada, with new ads promoting sometimes misleading claims about the last administration while making the case that Trump can deliver on reform.
Trump’s First Pick For Attorney General Says Marijuana Rescheduling Is ‘On The Horizon’