Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana in historic shift
AP News • • business
Key Points:
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, reducing its federal regulatory restrictions but not legalizing it outright.
- This reclassification allows licensed medical marijuana operators to receive significant tax deductions and facilitates research by protecting researchers who use state-licensed cannabis products.
- The order legitimizes medical marijuana programs in 40 states and establishes an expedited registration process with the DEA for state-licensed producers and distributors.
- Marijuana not distributed through state medical programs remains Schedule I, but a new administrative hearing process will consider broader rescheduling starting in June.
- The policy shift contrasts with opposition from some Republicans and reflects President Trump’s directive to expedite marijuana reclassification, despite his ongoing tough stance on other drugs like fentanyl.
