The Trump administration on Thursday officially reclassified certain cannabis products as less dangerous, marking one of the most significant federal drug policy changes in years. The move lowers qualifying marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III, a category used for substances considered to have accepted medical use and lower abuse potential.
According to the Justice Department, the change applies to marijuana-related products that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration or licensed under state medical marijuana programs. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche also called for a broader hearing to consider whether all marijuana should be reclassified.
The shift could expand medical research, ease some regulatory barriers, and renew debate over how cannabis is treated under federal law. Marijuana has long remained federally illegal even as many states legalized medical or recreational use.
The announcement also highlights the growing gap between federal policy and state-level reality. Across much of the country, cannabis can already be purchased legally under local law, while federal rules have lagged behind public opinion and state legislation. Thursday’s move may signal a larger realignment still to come.
