Trump Brands Himself as the ‘President of Common Sense’ in Move to Reclassify Marijuana as a Less Dangerous Drug

Donald Trump, Marijuana.
Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty; Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• On Thursday, December 18, President Donald Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III narcotic.
• The order does not legalize marijuana for recreational use but aims to enhance opportunities for research and medical applications.
• President Joe Biden had previously announced a similar initiative to reclassify marijuana, but legal and administrative hurdles hindered the Biden administration’s efforts before he left office.

In a pivotal move for U.S. drug policy, President Donald Trump announced on December 18 that marijuana will be reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule III. This change could significantly impact both research opportunities and the economic landscape surrounding the drug.

Trump emphasized that this reclassification “in no way” endorses marijuana for recreational use. He stated the primary motivation behind the executive order was to improve access for patients, particularly those suffering from conditions like cancer who rely on marijuana for medicinal purposes.

“We have people begging for me to do this, people that are in great pain,” Trump remarked after signing the order. “Hopefully this reclassification — which, by the way, polls at 82% — will help many of those patients live a better life.”

He also remarked, “People say it’s beyond good,” in reference to the drug’s benefits for patients, reinforcing his stance as “the president of common sense.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Schedule I drugs are defined as substances with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. This category includes drugs such as heroin and LSD. In contrast, Schedule III substances exhibit a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence; examples include ketamine and anabolic steroids.

Despite the reclassification, marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, though it is legalized for recreational use in 24 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia. The new schedule could pave the way for increased research possibilities and may provide businesses operating in states where marijuana is legal with additional tax benefits that were previously unavailable under Schedule I regulations.

Trump’s commitment to reclassifying marijuana was a key aspect of his campaign for the 2024 election. In a post on Truth Social dated September 8, he stated, “I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use.”

He further called for “smart regulations” to ensure that adults have access to safe and tested products, pledging to continue focusing on medical research related to marijuana. He plans to collaborate with Congress to develop sensible laws that include safe banking for state-authorized businesses and respect state rights to implement marijuana laws that benefit their communities.

Before Trump, former President Joe Biden had announced a comparable plan to reclassify marijuana. However, his administration faced various legal and administrative challenges, preventing the reclassification from occurring prior to the end of his tenure.