Trump Weighs Marijuana Reclassification in the U.S.

Marijuana could soon shift to a lower federal classification. President Donald Trump confirmed this month that he is reviewing its legal status.

Current Federal Status

Cannabis—also called marijuana, weed, or pot—remains illegal under federal law. While most states allow medical use, 24 have legalized it for recreational purposes. This often misleads people into thinking it’s legal everywhere.

Under the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is still a Schedule I dr*g, a category created in the 1970s for substances considered highly addictive and dangerous.

Possible Shift to Schedule III

That could change. If the Department of Justice secures approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget, marijuana may be reclassified as a Schedule III dr*g—a less restrictive category.

In May, the Justice Department announced the start of a formal rulemaking process to consider the move. This followed President Biden’s 2022 request for a scientific review of marijuana’s classification.

How Marijuana Affects the Body

Marijuana’s effects vary based on strain, dosage, and consumption method.

• Smoking: Effects begin within 2–10 minutes.

• Edibles: Take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in.

Once THC enters the bloodstream, heart rate can rise by 20–50 beats per minute for several hours. Red eyes follow as bl0*d vessels dilate. By 20 minutes (for smoking), THC fully absorbs, stimulating the brain’s pleasure centers and often creating euphoria and relaxation.

Some users, however, experience anxiety or panic. THC can also trigger the “munchies” by boosting smell and taste signals to the brain.

The peak high usually hits at around 30 minutes and can last 5–6 hours. Judgment, though, may remain impaired for up to 24 hours. Concentrated forms, like dabs, last 1–3 hours.

Trump’s Response

On August 11, Trump addressed the potential change:

“We’re looking at it. Some people like it, some people hate it… But we’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination over the next few weeks.”

What Reclassification Could Mean

Reclassifying marijuana could expand mainstream access and reduce the black market. Dr. Carl Hart, a neuroscientist at Columbia University, told BBC News that legalization shifts most consumers to the legal market, shrinking illicit sales.

This change, if approved, would mark the most significant shift in U.S. marijuana policy in decades.