Trump Moves Marijuana to Lower Drug Class
The Trump administration moved marijuana to a lower drug class on Thursday. It was moved from Schedule I to Schedule III.
Schedule I drugs are seen as having no medical use. Schedule III includes some common prescription painkillers.
The change makes it easier for scientists to study marijuana. State-licensed medical marijuana businesses will also pay less tax.
But marijuana is still illegal at the federal level. Current penalties for having or selling it have not changed. A new hearing starting June 29 2026 will look at broader changes.
Klear Note — Schedule I drugs are banned federally with no approved medical use. Schedule III allows medical use and research. This reclassification makes it easier to study marijuana scientifically.
Key Terms 4
- Schedule I US label for drugs seen as most dangerous with no medical use
- Schedule III US label for drugs with accepted medical use and lower risk
- federal level The national US law that applies across all states
- DEA US Drug Enforcement Administration — controls drug laws