President Trump directed the federal government to reclassify cannabis as a less-dangerous drug, a seismic shift in U.S. drug policy

The Wall Street JournalThursday, December 18, 2025 at 11:07:00 PM
PositiveU.S News
President Trump directed the federal government to reclassify cannabis as a less-dangerous drug, a seismic shift in U.S. drug policy
  • President Trump has directed the federal government to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III substance, a significant shift in U.S. drug policy that aims to ease tax burdens for cannabis businesses and facilitate more medical research. This decision does not legalize marijuana federally but alters its classification, which includes substances like ketamine and certain anabolic steroids.
  • This reclassification is expected to provide cannabis businesses with greater regulatory flexibility and reduce the financial burdens associated with federal taxes. It also opens the door for more extensive medical research into cannabis, potentially leading to new therapeutic applications and a better understanding of its effects.
  • The move reflects a broader trend in the Trump administration towards loosening regulatory frameworks, as seen in other areas such as corporate mergers and acquisitions. However, it has also sparked debate within the Republican Party, with some conservatives expressing opposition to the downgrade of marijuana's classification, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding drug policy reform in the U.S.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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