President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that will expand access to cannabis, a long anticipated move that would mark the most significant shift in US drug policy in decades.
The order directs the US attorney general to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I narcotic to a Schedule III drug, placing it under the same category as Tylenol with codeine. While cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, the reclassification permits expanded research on its potential benefits.
Several Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns about the move, arguing it could normalize cannabis use.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency indicates that Schedule III narcotics have a 'moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.' During a signing ceremony, Trump expressed that people, especially those suffering from severe ailments and pain, have been 'begging' for this change.
He drew a comparison between cannabis and prescription painkillers, noting both can have legitimate uses but can also cause significant harm.
The new classification brings tax implications for state-authorized cannabis dispensaries, previously restricted from certain tax deductions due to cannabis’s Schedule I status.
Along with reclassifying cannabis, Trump ordered White House officials to collaborate with Congress to allow wider access to cannabidiol (CBD) and develop methods to study its health benefits and risks.
A senior administration official characterized the order as a 'commonsense action' aimed at enhancing the understanding of cannabis and CBD.
In recent years, most US states have approved cannabis for medical use, with nearly half legalizing it for recreational use. However, since 1971, cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I narcotic, implying it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
While the Biden administration had previously proposed a similar reclassification, Trump's executive order has garnered praise from cannabis regulation advocates, signifying a 'fundamental shift' in the government's and society's views on cannabis.
Tim Barash, chairman of the Coalition of Cannabis Scheduling Reform, stated that the reclassification will empower more than 425,000 individuals working in the cannabis industry.
However, the order faces opposition from some Republican lawmakers, with a group of 22 Senators arguing that normalizing marijuana usage contradicts the goal of re-industrializing America. They expressed concerns over potential health impacts linked to cannabis.
Despite ongoing debates, public support for cannabis legalization continues to grow, as highlighted by recent polls indicating that 64% of Americans favor legalization.
