In one of the most significant federal changes to marijuana policy in decades, the U.S. Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced the immediate reclassification of FDA-approved marijuana products and state-regulated medical marijuana from Schedule I to the less restrictive Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
The move, signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, recognizes the accepted medical use of cannabis in 40 states plus Washington, D.C., and aims to expand research, improve patient access, and provide regulatory clarity while preserving strict federal controls on illicit trafficking.
“This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information,” Blanche said in a statement. “The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options.”
What Changed Today, and What Didn’t
Effective immediately, the order places:
- All FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana, and medicinal marijuana products subject to a qualifying state-issued license.
- Schedule III substances have accepted medical uses, a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I or II drugs, and include medications like ketamine and certain prescription painkillers with codeine.
This partial rescheduling stems directly from President Donald Trump’s December 18, 2025, Executive Order directing the Attorney General to expedite the process “in the most expeditious manner” consistent with federal law.
Separately, the DOJ terminated prior administrative proceedings and ordered a new expedited DEA administrative hearing beginning June 29, 2026. The hearing will evaluate broader rescheduling of marijuana itself from Schedule I to Schedule III, completing a process initiated under the previous administration in 2024
Important caveats:
- Recreational marijuana remains fully illegal under federal law and is unaffected.
- The change does not deschedule cannabis entirely or legalize it nationwide.
- State-legal recreational markets, possession arrests, and federal banking/tax barriers see only indirect benefits at this stage.
What’s Next
The June 29 hearing will include firm deadlines and public input, aiming for a final rule on full marijuana rescheduling. Congressional action, such as the MORE Act or STATES 2.0, could still be needed for broader reforms like federal legalization or descheduling.
For patients, researchers, and state programs, today’s order marks tangible progress after years of advocacy. Federal prohibition on recreational use persists, but the federal government has now formally acknowledged medical marijuana’s place in American healthcare.