Ask Onix
DOJ reclassifies medical marijuana to Schedule III
The US Department of Justice announced Thursday that cannabis products approved by the FDA or state medical programs will no longer be classified alongside heroin as a Schedule I narcotic. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche reclassified them as Schedule III drugs, aligning them with substances like Tylenol with codeine.
Trump administration drives policy change
President Donald Trump instructed federal agencies last year to begin reclassifying cannabis to expand research and access. The move follows a 2022 review initiated by President Joe Biden's administration, which later recommended the change. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had scheduled hearings in 2024, but these were postponed indefinitely.
Federal ban remains despite state legalization
While marijuana stays illegal under federal law, most US states have legalized it for medical or recreational use. The patchwork of state regulations has created challenges for businesses navigating federal tax and banking rules. Blanche's order does not resolve these conflicts but signals a shift in federal enforcement priorities.
Public hearing set for broader reclassification
Blanche also called for a June hearing to consider reclassifying all marijuana, not just FDA-approved or state-licensed products. The rule change will take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register but could face legal challenges, potentially delaying implementation for months or years.
"The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump's promise to expand Americans' access to medical treatment options. This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information."
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche
Advocates call move symbolic but significant
Morgan Fox of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) described the change as largely "symbolic" but noted it could pave the way for broader policy discussions. More than two-thirds of Americans support full legalization, according to Fox, who argued that removing cannabis from Schedule I removes a major barrier to reform.
"Moving it out of that classification allows us to have policy conversations that don't start and end with that definition. Lots of policymakers continue to fall back on that, and really won't even discuss the issue as long as cannabis is Schedule I."
Morgan Fox, NORML
Fox added that advocates will continue pushing for full federal descheduling, not just reclassification to Schedule III.
Recent executive actions on psychedelics
The announcement comes days after Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to psychedelic drugs for medical treatment. The order reflects a growing federal interest in revisiting drug policies, though marijuana remains federally prohibited.
