President Donald Trump signed an executive order on December 18, 2025, directing federal agencies to expedite the process of rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The move is being framed by the administration as a research and medical policy shift, not a federal legalization push.
In plain terms, this is Trump’s move to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III by speeding up the formal federal pathway that must still be completed. If the process finishes, marijuana would no longer sit in the same strict federal category as drugs defined as having no accepted medical use.
Key Takeaways
- Trump signed an executive order directing the Attorney General to expedite completion of the process of moving marijuana to Schedule III.
- The White House says the goal is to reduce research barriers and improve guidance for patients and doctors.
- The order does not federally legalize adult-use marijuana.
- The directive also includes CBD and hemp-related actions focused on access, safety, and clearer standards.
What Trump’s Executive Order Does
The White House says the order is aimed at improving medical marijuana and cannabidiol research so patients and doctors have better information and clearer standards.
The fact sheet outlining the order says it directs:
- The Attorney General to expedite completion of the rescheduling process to Schedule III.
- White House leadership to work with Congress on access to appropriate full-spectrum CBD products while restricting products that pose serious health risks.
- HHS to develop research methods and models using real-world evidence to improve access to hemp-derived cannabinoid products in accordance with federal law and to inform standards of care.
Schedule I vs. Schedule III: What Changes (And What Does Not)
Marijuana is currently treated federally as a Schedule I substance, a category defined as having no currently accepted medical use, a high potential for abuse, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
Moving marijuana to Schedule III is a meaningful shift, but it comes with limits. It does not automatically create nationwide legal retail sales. It does not override state laws. It does not instantly wipe out federal cannabis enforcement, either.
What it would do is signal federal recognition of accepted medical use and make it easier for research to move forward under a less restrictive category.
Why the White House Is Emphasizing Research
The administration’s messaging centers on research access, physician guidance, and long-term health outcomes.
In its fact sheet, the White House points to the broad spread of state medical programs and argues that the lack of appropriate research and the lack of FDA approval leave patients and doctors without adequate guidance. It also says Schedule III status would allow research studies to incorporate real-world evidence and better assess long-term health outcomes, including in vulnerable populations.
What Happens Next
The executive order is a directive to move faster, but rescheduling still has to be completed through the federal process.
That matters because a lot of the “business impact” headlines depend on what the final policy looks like and how agencies implement it. Many operators will be watching for what happens next at the Justice Department, DEA, and HHS, along with any congressional action tied to CBD and hemp-derived products.
Conclusion
Trump’s executive order is a clear federal signal that his administration wants marijuana moved from Schedule I to Schedule III, mainly to expand medical research and reduce barriers that have slowed science and guidance for decades. It is a major shift in tone and direction at the federal level, but it is not federal legalization. The practical impact now depends on how quickly agencies complete the rescheduling process and what additional steps follow for research, standards, and enforcement.
This article is based on publicly available legislative records, court filings, industry reports, and published research as of the publication date. Cannabis laws and regulations change frequently — verify current rules with your state’s regulatory agency.
