COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Trump administration has officially reclassified state-licensed medical marijuana as a Schedule III substance, a historic shift in federal drug policy announced on Thursday.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed the order, which immediately moves marijuana products covered by a state medical license or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) out of the same category as heroin and LSD.
While the move does not legalize marijuana for recreational use at the federal level, it formally recognizes its medicinal value and aligns federal standards with the 40 states that have already adopted medical cannabis programs.
This reclassification is expected to trigger a significant surge in scientific research by removing long-standing regulatory barriers that previously hindered clinical trials.
By categorizing marijuana alongside less-restricted drugs like ketamine and Tylenol with codeine, the Department of Justice aims to empower doctors with more reliable data on safety and efficacy for treating chronic pain, epilepsy, and other conditions.
Beyond research, the order provides substantial economic relief to the industry by allowing licensed businesses to deduct standard business expenses on federal taxes, a move industry advocates have sought for decades.
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