Trump Pushes Marijuana Shift to Schedule III as Federal Reclassification Nears Decision Stage

Administration signals imminent move to ease research restrictions while keeping cannabis federally controlled.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to move forward with reclassifying marijuana under federal law, with officials indicating the long-awaited shift from Schedule I to Schedule III could occur soon, according to an Axios report.

The proposed change would alter how marijuana is regulated at the federal level, reducing barriers to medical research but stopping short of legalizing the substance. Marijuana is currently listed as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, a classification reserved for substances considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

A move to Schedule III would place marijuana in a less restrictive category, typically reserved for drugs with recognized medical applications and lower risks of dependence. However, the shift would not automatically affect criminal penalties already imposed for marijuana-related offenses.

Trump has publicly expressed frustration with delays in implementing the policy. During an April 18 White House event, he said the effort was moving too slowly and urged officials to accelerate the process. His remarks came months after he formally directed the Justice Department to initiate the change.

That directive was outlined in a December 2025 executive order, which instructed the attorney general to take all necessary steps to reclassify marijuana as quickly as possible.

Despite the administration’s push, the reclassification must still proceed through the federal rulemaking process, which includes review by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration, publication of a proposed rule, a public comment period, and potential hearings before a final determination is issued.

The process has historically taken years to complete. A similar review initiated under the previous administration did not reach completion before stalling.

If the administration advances the proposal in the coming days, it would mark a significant step toward reshaping federal marijuana policy, though questions would remain regarding enforcement and the ongoing divide between federal law and state-level legalization efforts.