Trump Eyes Marijuana Rescheduling Could This Be the Turning Point for Legalization?

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6/12/2025

Trump Eyes Marijuana Rescheduling

President Donald Trump is considering moving marijuana from Schedule I, the same category as heroin, to Schedule III, alongside drugs like ketamine and testosterone.

If this happens, it would:

Acknowledge marijuana’s medical use under federal law

Lower criminal penalties for federal marijuana offenses

Open the door for more medical research that has been blocked for decades

Allow cannabis businesses to deduct expenses on their taxes by removing the IRS 280E restriction

It would not legalize marijuana nationwide. States would still set their own rules. But it would be the biggest federal shift in cannabis policy in decades.

This conversation comes after major cannabis companies, including Trulieve, Curaleaf, Green Thumb, and others, donated millions to Trump-affiliated political efforts. Trulieve alone has contributed over $750,000, and industry-backed PACs have delivered seven-figure totals.

My take:

This could be the turning point for U.S. cannabis legalization. Big money is at the table, which means we will likely see more corporate and pharmaceutical involvement. That could bring more FDA-approved cannabis products, but it might also squeeze out small businesses and legacy operators.

The hemp industry should also be watching closely. If marijuana is rescheduled, federal agencies might tighten rules on hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 and THCA flower. And without proper regulation and consumer education, the unregulated market could continue to grow, putting unsafe products in people’s hands.

The next few weeks will decide whether this is just political talk or the start of real change.

Sources: Reuters, Politico, Marijuana Moment, The Daily Beast

Author:

Anthony D. Riley (Mastamynd) – Founder of Ohio Cannabis Live and the Ohio Cannabis Expo. Advocate, journalist, and educator with over 1,500 videos on cannabis laws, news, and patient rights.