Imagine if doctors couldn’t properly study a medicine that millions of Americans already use. That might sound crazy, but it’s basically been the reality for marijuana and CBD products for over 50 years. On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that could change everything.
What’s Actually Happening?
For decades, marijuana has been stuck in a weird legal category. The federal government classifies it as a Schedule I drug, putting it in the same group as heroin and LSD. Schedule I means the government considers it to have no medical use and a high risk of abuse. The problem is that 37 states have already legalized medical marijuana, and millions of patients use it with their doctor’s approval.
This new executive order tells federal agencies to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. Schedule III drugs are still controlled substances, but they’re recognized as having legitimate medical uses. Think of medicines like ketamine or certain steroids. The change doesn’t make marijuana legal everywhere. It just acknowledges what doctors and patients have been saying for years: marijuana has real medical benefits.
Why This Matters for Regular People
The executive order focuses heavily on research. Right now, scientists have a tough time studying marijuana because of all the federal restrictions. Getting permission to research a Schedule I drug involves mountains of paperwork and strict rules. Many researchers just give up before they even start.
Moving marijuana to Schedule III will make research much easier. Scientists can study how marijuana helps with chronic pain, nausea from chemotherapy, and other conditions. Better research means doctors will have better information to share with patients. Instead of guessing about benefits and risks, they’ll have real scientific evidence.
There’s also a big tax benefit for marijuana businesses. Under current law, companies that sell Schedule I substances can’t take normal business deductions on their federal taxes. This has made it really hard for legal marijuana companies to compete. Moving to Schedule III removes this penalty.
What About CBD?
The executive order also addresses CBD products. CBD is a compound from hemp plants that doesn’t make you high. You can find CBD gummies, oils, and creams in stores across America. The order directs officials to work with Congress to create clear rules about which CBD products are safe and which might be risky.
This is important because right now the CBD market is kind of like the Wild West. Some products are high quality, while others might contain harmful ingredients or not contain what the label claims. Better regulations could protect consumers while still allowing access to helpful products.
The Bottom Line
President Trump was clear during the signing that this order doesn’t legalize recreational marijuana. You still can’t legally spark up a joint just for fun under federal law. What it does is recognize medical reality and remove roadblocks to scientific research.
For patients who already use medical marijuana, this could mean better products and clearer medical guidance in the future. For researchers, it opens new doors to study a plant that might help treat serious conditions. For businesses, it levels the playing field so legal companies can operate more normally.
The change won’t happen overnight. The Attorney General still needs to complete the official rescheduling process, which involves following specific legal procedures. But after 50 years of treating marijuana like it has zero medical value, this executive order marks a huge shift in federal policy. It’s about time science and common sense caught up with reality.
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Photo Credit: Jess Loiterton
