Trump reportedly told donors this month he was considering rescheduling marijuana, and in a press conference this week confirmed it, saying a decision would come in the “next few weeks.”
Normalizing marijuana use has typically been viewed as a left-wing issue, but Trump has previously expressed support for its regulation and decriminalization.
“I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in September 2024.
Trump said he would be voting “YES” on Florida Amendment 3 last year, which would have legalized recreational cannabis in the state. Despite receiving 55 percent of the vote, the measure failed because it did not garner the required 60 percent supermajority.
The Biden administration had sought to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to the lesser Schedule III but ultimately left the process unfinished. The move would bring negligible changes in criminal justice reform, but significant tax benefits for the industry.
Right before the Trump administration assumed office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney canceled a hearing on the rescheduling proposal after supporters filed an appeal alleging the DEA had colluded with opponents to the effort.
According to Adam Smith, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, the rescheduling effort by the Biden administration stalled due to a resistant DEA.
“The DEA, culturally and historically, has been against reforming cannabis laws. And I think to some extent that is their natural response is to dig in their heels,” Smith said.
Recently confirmed DEA Administrator Terry Cole told senators in April that assessing where in the process marijuana rescheduling stood would be one of his “first priorities.”
Upon being sworn in, Cole omitted cannabis rescheduling from his list of priorities.
