Trump confronts cannabis rescheduling rumors

OG article by Rachelle Gordon

December 16, 2025

President Trump directly addressed circulating rumors regarding cannabis reform during a White House press conference held on Monday. When questioned by a journalist about a recent report indicating his readiness to instruct the administration to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, Trump acknowledged ongoing discussions within the White House. He remarked, “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, so we are looking at that very strongly.” Reports suggest he conferred with House Speaker Mike Johnson on the topic last week, in a meeting that included cannabis industry professionals and senior administration officials. Industry insiders anticipate the possibility of an executive order being issued imminently, although no such action has materialized yet; instead, the White House recently released an order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. Trump previously teased a cannabis reform announcement in August and shared a video promoting CBD benefits in September. In response to an inquiry from GreenState, the White House press office confirmed that no final decision has been reached on the matter. Cannabis continues to be categorized as a Schedule I substance, alongside heroin and MDMA, with federal deliberations on moving it to Schedule III having been stalled since late 2022 following Trump's inauguration. While rescheduling would not equate to nationwide legalization of marijuana, it could facilitate smoother operations for regulated businesses, alleviate taxation burdens, and lift barriers to scientific research. An executive order from Trump might compel the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to finalize its review process, though implementation could take time and potentially encounter legal hurdles. Advocates from various perspectives are closely watching for any forthcoming actions by the president, as they could reshape the landscape of cannabis policy at the federal level.