WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump administration is weighing a significant policy shift that could reshape how marijuana is regulated at the federal level. Officials have confirmed that marijuana reclassification is under serious consideration, with a decision potentially coming in the next few weeks.
Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, the same category as heroin and LSD, indicating it is considered highly dangerous with no accepted medical use. Moving marijuana to Schedule III would represent the most substantial marijuana reclassification in decades. Schedule III substances, such as Tylenol with codeine and anabolic steroids, are recognized as having accepted medical uses and are subject to less restrictive regulations.
President Trump has described the decision as complex but important. “We’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination over the next few weeks,” he said, noting that the administration hopes to make the “right” choice.
Experts explain that marijuana reclassification would not legalize the drug nationwide. However, it would have far-reaching implications, including easing restrictions for scientific research, reducing some criminal penalties, and aligning federal policy more closely with the growing number of states that have legalized cannabis in some form. Currently, 24 states and Washington, D.C., allow recreational marijuana use, while another seven have decriminalized possession, and 40 permit medical use.
CBS News Homeland Security Correspondent Nicole Sganga noted that while marijuana reclassification could reduce the severity of certain federal charges, it would not automatically result in the release of people incarcerated for marijuana offenses or the expungement of their records. Most marijuana-related incarceration occurs under state, not federal, law.
Advocates see marijuana reclassification as a possible catalyst for broader reform. States that still prohibit cannabis entirely — such as Indiana, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Idaho — could face increased public and political pressure to reconsider their laws. Indiana Governor Mike Braun recently acknowledged that the federal discussion could “add a little more fuel to the fire” for legalization efforts in his state.
The timeline for marijuana reclassification remains uncertain, though President Trump’s comments suggest a formal decision could be announced soon. If approved, the change would not only open the door for expanded medical research but also signal a shift toward a more modernized federal drug policy.
Supporters argue that marijuana reclassification is overdue, given the drug’s widespread acceptance, economic potential, and demonstrated medical applications.
Regardless of the outcome, the debate over marijuana reclassification underscores a pivotal moment in America’s evolving approach to cannabis policy.