President Donald Trump said the order does not legalize marijuana across the country and does not support recreational use|@WHiteHouse|X
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to speed up the reclassification of cannabis, a move aimed at expanding research into its medical benefits.
The order asks federal agencies to shift cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under US drug laws. This change would make it easier for scientists and the Food and Drug Administration to study how cannabis can help patients.
What Trump made clear
The President said the order does not legalize marijuana across the country and does not support recreational use. He explained that the decision focuses on helping people with chronic pain and serious health conditions. He also warned that powerful drugs should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.
Right now, cannabis is listed in the same category as drugs like heroin and LSD. Moving it to Schedule III would place it alongside medicines such as Tylenol with codeine and ketamine, which doctors already use for treatment.
Consumers would still only be able to buy marijuana in states where it is already legal. People cannot still fly with cannabis or carry it across state lines.
However, the change could lower taxes on cannabis businesses, which may eventually reduce prices.
The order also highlights research on CBD, a cannabis-related product that is non-psychoactive.
Meanwhile, public support is strong, with 64% of US adults saying marijuana should be legal, per a Gallup poll.