A decree signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche reclassified medical cannabis, now classified as a less dangerous drug after being moved from Schedule I to Schedule III. This action, without legalizing recreational or medical use at the federal level, responds to the desire to provide better access and recognition to cannabis.
It’s a major policy change that advocates have long sought, saying the federal government should never have treated cannabis like heroin.
The reclassification opens the door to significant benefits, allowing tax deductions for legal cannabis producers and facilitating scientific research. Cannabis businesses can now deduct expenses on their federal taxes, representing a significant development for the industry.
Recall that in December, President Donald Trump ordered his administration to work as quickly as possible to reclassify marijuana; and this past Saturday, while the Republican president was signing an executive order related to psychedelics, he seemed to express his frustration over the delay, he recalls. Associated Press (AP).
Contrasting opinions
Blanche’s measure thus largely legitimizes medical marijuana programs in the 40 states that have adopted them.
Many in the cannabis industry see this move as progress in federal policy, while critics such as Kevin Sabet, executive director of Tidy Approaches to Marijuana, argue that it represents “fiscal aid to the large cannabis industry” and warn of the risks associated with its legalization.
“With this measure, we are facing the most pro-drug administration in our history,” Sabet said in a text message. “Policies are now dictated by marijuana company CEOs, psychedelic investors, and actively addicted podcasters,” he argued critically.
Political context and reforms
The Trump administration’s shift has led to a review of marijuana classifications at the federal level, surpassing the Justice Department’s current review under Biden.
Blanche’s order circumvented the review process by relying on a provision of federal law that allows the attorney general to determine the appropriate classification for drugs that the United States must modernize under an international treaty.
It is unclear how this new classification will affect operations in states that have also legalized recreational cannabis use.
Importantly, marijuana or derived products that are not distributed through a state medical marijuana program will continue to be classified as Schedule I.
Political pressure remains, especially among Republican lawmakers who support maintaining stricter restrictions.
Impact on scientific research
The decision to reclassify or relax the supreme-search status of cannabis at the federal level will tend, overall, to expand and accelerate scientific research on the plant and its derivatives.
Facilitation of clinical studies. By reducing its classification as a maximum risk substance with no accepted medical use, many bureaucratic restrictions that until now limited permits, storage, access to standardized shipping fabric and financing for clinical trials are alleviated. This may make it more feasible to study cannabis for chronic pain, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions.
Increased funding and academic interest. Governments and health agencies (such as NIDA in the US) have already been promoting research on the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids and effects on the brain and mental health, but under a very restrictive regulatory framework. With more versatile regulation, it is expected that there will be more public and private budget for projects on risks, therapeutic benefits and public health policies.
Advances in evidence and policy. Currently, many countries have already made progress in medical legislation, but science continues to lag behind correct use and social expectations. A regulatory decision that facilitates research would generate more solid data on cardiometabolism, brain development, addiction and other effects, which in turn would help refine medical standards, labeling and recommendations for use.
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