Overview

• President Donald Trump has confirmed that his administration is actively considering moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law with a decision due in the coming weeks.
• Cannabis industry groups and investors have ramped up lobbying and campaign contributions to secure Section 280E tax relief and gain access to traditional banking services.
• Public-health authorities and experts warn that modern high-potency cannabis is linked to cardiac, psychiatric and cognitive harms and fear that rescheduling could imply a safety endorsement.
• Implementing a reclassification would require the DEA to restart its paused rulemaking process and could trigger new HHS, FDA and DOJ reviews to set federal standards.
• Proponents in the GOP say the move could broaden the party’s electoral appeal, but the new DEA administrator has publicly expressed opposition to lowering cannabis controls.