Trump teams tells agencies to prepare for loosening federal restrictions on marijuana
Yahoo • • business
Key Points:
- The Trump administration has instructed federal agencies to prepare for the imminent loosening of federal marijuana restrictions, with the DEA expected to begin reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II this week.
- This reclassification would facilitate medical research by making it easier for scientists and the DEA to study marijuana, which is currently classified alongside drugs like LSD and heroin.
- Trump signed an executive order in December to continue efforts started under Biden to reclassify marijuana, emphasizing its medical benefits for patients with severe conditions while clarifying that this does not equate to federal decriminalization.
- Public support for loosening marijuana restrictions is growing, with a recent poll showing 53% of American adults, including 35% of Republicans, favor legalization.
- The administration stressed that the reclassification aims to advance medical research and does not affect current criminal sentences related to marijuana possession or distribution.
