WASHINGTON— Marking an easing of federal marijuana policy, the White House on Thursday issued an executive order directing the federal government to accelerate the rescheduling of marijuana for medical use and to expand research into both medical marijuana and hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), citing widespread patient use and long-standing gaps in federal policy and scientific guidance.
The order frames the move as an effort to align federal drug policy with existing medical evidence and state-level programs while improving safety, research, and access for patients.
Under the order, the Attorney General is instructed to move as quickly as possible to complete the rulemaking process to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, following a 2023 recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services and a proposed Justice Department rule issued in May 2024. A shift to Schedule III would formally recognize accepted medical uses and ease federal research restrictions that have limited clinical studies and FDA guidance for decades.
The order highlights federal findings that millions of Americans already use medical marijuana for conditions such as chronic pain, nausea, and appetite loss, including seniors and veterans, while noting that Schedule I status has hindered rigorous research and left patients and physicians without clear prescribing standards. Administration officials argue that this gap increases safety risks, particularly for older patients managing multiple medications, and undermines informed medical decision-making.