Overview
- Trump’s Dec. 18 executive order tells Attorney General Pam Bondi to take all necessary steps to complete rescheduling, with the option of using the Controlled Substances Act’s Section 811 expedited process.
- Marijuana’s federal status remains unchanged pending a final rule, and interstate cannabis commerce continues to be illegal with agency guidance on issues like drug testing still to come.
- HHS previously found credible medical support for some cannabis uses, and a DOJ proposal published in May 2024 can be revived and accelerated under the new directive.
- Industry executives say relief from IRS Section 280E could follow soon after a final rule, while access to credit cards and broader banking services would likely require additional actions.
- Researchers would no longer face Schedule I licensing and the strictest lab requirements after rescheduling, yet limited lawful supply and separate agency policies would continue to constrain studies.