The Trump administration is preparing to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act as soon as today, according to reporting from Axios. This would mark the most significant federal cannabis policy shift in decades. It is not legalization. Here’s what you need to know right now.
As of publication, cannabis rescheduling has not been officially announced. No final rule had been publicly issued. This story will be updated as developments occur.
The Trump administration is prepared to move forward with cannabis rescheduling, Axios reported Wednesday, citing an administration official familiar with the matter. MJBizDaily confirmed the reporting through two sources close to the process. “Today’s the day,” one source told the outlet, while adding that “some process” still remains ahead.
The move follows a December 18 executive order in which President Trump directed the attorney general to complete the rescheduling process “in the most expeditious manner possible.” Trump himself complained just days ago, during a Saturday signing ceremony for a separate psychedelics order, that federal agencies were “slow-walking” him on cannabis. “You’re going to get the rescheduling done, right, please?” he said, apparently addressing a DOJ or White House official in the Oval Office.
The rescheduling process has a longer history. The Biden administration launched a formal review in 2022. In 2023, Health and Human Services concluded that cannabis has accepted medical use and recommended Schedule III. The DEA process stalled. Hearings were delayed. Nothing was finalized before Trump took office for his second term.
What Schedule III actually means
What it does
Formally acknowledges cannabis has medical value
Would remove IRS 280E tax penalties if cannabis is formally moved to Schedule III
Eases barriers to federal research
Could lower tax burdens and improve access to capital for some plant-touching businesses
What it doesn’ …
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Author: Javier Hasse / High Times
