Overview
- President Trump’s executive order instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to complete rulemaking to reclassify marijuana, with DOJ and DEA still required to finalize the process before any change takes effect.
- HHS’s 2023 eight‑factor analysis and DOJ concurrence led to a May 2024 proposal that drew about 43,500 comments, and a scheduled public hearing remains on hold pending appeals.
- The administration frames the step as focused on medical research, citing longstanding barriers created by Schedule I status.
- Even if moved to Schedule III, marijuana would remain under CSA controls, including DEA registrations, inventories and records, security measures, and prescriptions by DEA‑registered clinicians for dispensing.
- Industry voices anticipate relief from IRS Section 280E and improved access to banking and card payments if rescheduling is finalized, while the order also initiates work on clearer rules for hemp‑derived CBD and local police report no immediate enforcement changes.