The classification of cannabis as a Schedule I drug under federal law is one of the most illogical and indefensible positions in American drug policy today. Despite overwhelming medical evidence, bipartisan public support, and successful state-level regulation, the federal government still insists that cannabis is as dangerous as heroin—and more dangerous than cocaine.
That’s not just a mistake. It’s an obstacle. An obstacle to science. An obstacle to medical care. An obstacle to economic growth. And it’s time we cleared it.
Schedule I vs. Reality
Under the Controlled Substances Act, Schedule I drugs are defined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as substances with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Cannabis shares this classification with heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Meanwhile, cocaine—a drug with a well-documented history of addiction and abuse—is classified as Schedule II.
This contradiction doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Cannabis has been legalized for medical use in 38 states and Washington, D.C. Millions of Americans rely on it to treat conditions ranging from chronic pain and epilepsy to PTSD and the side effects of cancer treatment. The evidence isn’t anecdotal anymore. Medical cannabis has become part of mainstream therapeutic care in nearly every part of the country.
It’s long past time for the federal government to admit what states and patients have known for years: cannabis has real medical value.
Why Rescheduling Matters
Moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III wouldn’t legalize it for recreational use at the federal level. What it would do is acknowledge its medical potential and drastically reduce the barriers that prevent scientific research, patient access, and economic opportunity.
Schedule III drugs are defined as having “a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” Think of drugs like codeine, testosterone, and anabolic steroids. They’re controlled, but they’re allowed for medical use. That’s the category cannabis should fall into.
Rescheduling would:
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Allow greater medical research. Universities and labs would be free to study the plant, including its long-term effects, interactions with other medications, and full therapeutic potential.
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Open new access for patients. Physicians across the country could prescribe cannabis in a consistent, regulated way.
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Protect existing cannabis businesses. Rescheduling could allow businesses to claim standard tax deductions, currently prohibited under IRS code 280E due to cannabis’ Schedule I status.
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Grow the economy. Over 440,000 Americans are already employed in the cannabis sector. Rescheduling would strengthen those jobs and attract new investment and innovation.
Trump Promised to Fix This. Now’s the Time.
During his first campaign, Donald Trump signaled support for rescheduling cannabis. In 2024, he again hinted that common-sense cannabis reform could be part of an America First agenda. And he has the political momentum behind him.
More than 84% of conservatives support rescheduling marijuana. This isn’t a fringe issue anymore. This is a bipartisan, broad-spectrum demand for change.
If Trump wants to reinforce his promise to “drain the swamp” and prioritize American jobs and innovation, rescheduling cannabis is a straightforward move. It helps patients. It helps businesses. It corrects an injustice. And it aligns the federal government with the states—something long overdue.
State Leadership vs. Federal Inertia
The states have already done the hard work. From California to Florida, New York to Oklahoma, lawmakers have implemented comprehensive cannabis programs that are carefully regulated and widely supported by their residents.
These state programs prove that cannabis can be sold, taxed, and monitored just like any other product. They also prove that the horror stories once used to justify prohibition haven’t come true. Teen use hasn’t spiked. DUIs haven’t exploded. Instead, states are reporting tax windfalls, job growth, and in some cases, reductions in opioid use.
Cannabis Isn’t the Enemy—Pharmaceutical Overload Is
One of the strongest arguments for rescheduling cannabis is its role as a safer, plant-based alternative to many pharmaceutical drugs. In recent years, we’ve seen the toll of pharmaceutical overprescription, especially with opioids. Thousands of lives have been lost. Entire communities devastated. And yet, the same agencies that hand out opioid prescriptions with minimal oversight still classify cannabis as more dangerous.
That’s not just backwards—it’s deadly.
Cannabis isn’t a magic cure, but it is a well-documented alternative for patients seeking relief from chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and more. Rescheduling would allow more doctors to consider it as a front-line treatment, not a last resort.
Don’t Let It Get Buried in Washington
But if rescheduling is going to happen, it needs to be done correctly.
Not through a bloated omnibus bill where it could be traded away during negotiations. Not through a flimsy executive order that could be reversed by the next administration. And certainly not with half-measures or loopholes that keep cannabis in a grey area.
This change requires coordination between the White House, the Department of Justice, and the DEA to issue a final rule that permanently moves cannabis to Schedule III. Anything less is performative politics—not policy.
This Is an America First Issue
Rescheduling cannabis aligns perfectly with the core principles of an America First agenda.
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It protects American businesses. By fixing tax codes and legitimizing operations.
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It boosts American jobs. Encouraging innovation, farming, and retail.
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It promotes American science. Letting U.S. researchers take the lead in global cannabis research.
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It reduces dependency. Giving patients a non-opioid alternative for real relief.
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It makes fiscal sense. Generating billions in tax revenue for reinvestment.
This isn’t about getting high. It’s about getting smart.
The Public Is Ready. Is Washington?
The numbers don’t lie. Over 70% of Americans support federal cannabis legalization in some form. Among Republicans, support for medical cannabis and reform measures is rising every year. The stigma is fading. The facts are clear. The will of the people is known.
Now we just need our federal government to listen.
Let’s Get It Done
Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III is the most meaningful, immediate step we can take to align federal law with modern science, state regulation, and public opinion. It opens the door for innovation. It respects the rights of states. And most importantly, it respects the needs of patients.
This is bigger than politics. It’s about policy that works. Policy rooted in facts, not fear. Policy that doesn’t criminalize progress or deny people the care they need.
The opportunity is here. The public is on board. The infrastructure exists. What’s missing is the courage to act.
Let’s fix this broken system. Let’s reschedule cannabis—and build an America where science leads, patients are prioritized, and common sense finally prevails.
