President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged on Monday that his administration is actively considering reclassifying cannabis under federal law, saying the current Schedule I status blocks medical and scientific research.
“A lot of people want to see it, the reclassification, because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify,” Trump said when asked directly about cannabis policy. “So we are looking at that very strongly.”
The comments represent one of Trump’s clearest on-the-record confirmations to date that cannabis rescheduling remains under serious review, reinforcing recent reporting that the White House is weighing an executive directive to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
As High Times has previously reported, rescheduling would acknowledge cannabis’ medical value and ease barriers to federally approved research, but it would not legalize cannabis or resolve the conflict between federal law and state-regulated markets. Cannabis would remain federally illegal, tightly controlled, and subject to oversight by agencies such as the DEA and FDA.
Trump’s framing also aligns with the administration’s stated emphasis on research rather than legalization. Moving cannabis to Schedule III could expand clinical trials and pharmaceutical development, while leaving existing state markets in a legal gray zone. That tension has been central to concerns raised by patients, small operators, and advocates who fear partial reform could benefit institutions without delivering broader freedom.
The White House has continued to say that no final decision has been made. Trump himself has previously said decisions on cannabis policy would come “within weeks,” timelines that have passed without formal action.
For now, Trump’s remarks add political weight to a long-running debate, but they stop short of an order, a rule, or a timeline. As with earlier signals under both Republican and Democratic administrations, the significance will depend on whether rhetoric turns into regulatory action.
For deeper context, read High Times’ full analysis of what rescheduling would and would not change, our explainer on cannabis rescheduling questions, and our recent reporting on how this administration has used executive power in other drug policy areas.
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