Donald Trump is reportedly looking at reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the US.

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the 79-year-old president is ‘looking at’ making a huge change, which would make it easier to buy and sell weed, making the multibillion-dollar industry more profitable.

The publication’s sources claimed that during a recent fundraiser held at his New Jersey golf club, where tickets for the event went for a whopping $1 million each, the Republican leader first spoke of the potential plans.

He allegedly said he was ‘looking at’ possibly changing the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III substance.

In simple terms, this doesn’t mean it would make the drug completely legal across the US, but it would help ease restrictions on it.

Donald Trump is reportedly considering whether to reclassify marijuana in the US (Bloomberg/Getty Images)

At the event, speaking of tweaking the federal restrictions for the drug, Trump allegedly said: “We need to look at that. That’s something we’re going to look at.”

Then, according to The Telegraph, speaking at a press conference on Monday, the US president affirmed: “We’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination over, I’d say, the next few weeks.”

He reportedly added that the decision is ‘very complicated’ – so, let’s break it down.

How do US marijuana laws work?

At a federal level, marijuana remains illegal in the US as per the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, however, many states have made their own rules for cannabis use.

As we mentioned earlier, it’s federally classified as a Schedule I drug – this means that federal law considers it to have a ‘high potential for abuse’ and ‘no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States’.

But, despite its federal classification, 24 states plus the District of Columbia have fully legalised weed, meanwhile others have opted to only allow it for medicinal purposes.

Cannabis legalisation in individual states can be done in a number of ways, ranging from fully illegal to legal for both medicinal and recreational use.

If you’re in a state that has completely legalised recreational marijuana and you’re 21 or older, you have the right to use cannabis products for your own personal enjoyment.

However, this doesn’t always mean it’s legal to purchase – confusing, I know.

For example, while it’s illegal to buy marijuana in Washington, DC, it’s legal for anyone 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of it and grow up to six marijuana plants in the district.

So essentially, it’s all down to the state you’re in and their specific regulations.

America’s cannabis laws can be a tricky subject to wrap your head around (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

What would happen if marijuana became a Schedule III drug?

If Trump were to go ahead and reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, this would be a pretty big change up and down America.

According to the US government’s website, Schedule III drugs are defined as drugs ‘with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence’ and their ‘abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs’.

Some examples of Schedule III drugs are products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit, such as Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.

Meanwhile, Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Some examples include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and as of right now, marijuana.

It’s important to note that the switch up would not make marijuana completely legal – it would just help ease restrictions and create more opportunities for medical uses and possible tax breaks for marijuana companies.

The Republican leader is said to be ‘looking at’ possibly switching marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug (Emilija Manevska/Getty Images)

Which US states is marijuana currently legal in?

States where marijuana is fully legal:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Illinois
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington

States where marijuana is legal for medical purposes only:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia (CBD oil only)
• Hawaii
• Indiana (CBD oil only)
• Iowa (CBD oil only)
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Tennessee (CBD oil only)
• Texas
• Utah
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin (CBD oil only)
• Wyoming (CBD oil only)

D.C. board rejects ANC 5A challenge to new medical cannabis retailer in Ward 5

The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board has rejected ANC 5A’s bid to reinstate its protest against a new Clinical Solutions medical cannabis dispensary in Ward 5, ruling that the ANC’s objections about daycare proximity and safety lacked the specific statutory grounds required to proceed; the license application remains on track, though the decision can still be appealed.

• Alt Sol was featured by wtop News.
• Catch up on today’s ABC Board meeting: watch, agenda. 
• Sept. 24, Black Cannabis Week’s D.C. event, “From Prohibition to Policy.” 
• A GOP-led House committee is advancing a bill to repeal Washington, D.C.’s Second Chance Amendment Act—which automatically expunges past cannabis possession records—framing the move as part of a broader “restoring law and order” initiative. 

Workers protest at Maryland dispensary grand reopening over labor disputes

Cannabis workers and community members protested outside The Apothecarium’s grand reopening in Cumberland, Md., on Sept. 5, alleging the company engaged in union-busting and stalled contract negotiations since employees voted to unionize last year. UFCW Local 27 says workers are demanding fair pay and just cause protections, while the company has not yet issued a response.

Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race may decide future of legal cannabis market

Over half of Virginians have used cannabis, but the state currently lacks a legal retail market, though a bipartisan commission is studying its potential and the issue is expected to hinge on the 2025 gubernatorial election. Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger supports establishing a regulated retail market to boost revenue and public safety, while Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears opposes legalization, citing cannabis as a gateway drug.

ICYMI: D.C. Dispensaries Boom, Trulieve Expands, Virginia Cannabis Hits a Turning Point

East Coast Roundup

Once a dominant force in Massachusetts‘ cannabis industry, Fitchburg-based Rev Clinics supplied products to approximately 75% of the state’s dispensaries. However, the company has faced significant challenges leading to its collapse.

A CBD shop in Connecticut shut down following allegations of illegal cannabis sales. The owner has agreed to a settlement.

New York’s licensed cannabis sales surpassed $2.09 billion, with over $1 billion generated in 2025 alone, indicating a robust and expanding market despite market turmoil.

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management announced the transition to the Metrc system for tracking cannabis from seed to sale will start in 2026.

Delaware’s recreational cannabis market achieved $7.3 million in sales during its inaugural month, signaling a strong consumer demand.

The Massachusetts Attorney General certified 44 ballot proposals for the 2026 election, including one aiming to repeal the state’s 2016 law legalizing recreational marijuana sales. This proposal, led by Sudbury resident Caroline Alcock Cunningham, seeks to shut down recreational dispensaries and impose civil penalties for public possession exceeding one ounce.

Culture & More 

A new report highlights a significant rise in cannabis use among Americans aged 65 and older, with a 46% increase between 2021 and 2023. 

USF Credit Union has introduced ‘Verde,’ a cannabis banking program aimed at providing financial services to the legal cannabis industry in Florida. 

A new study found that THC can reach the human egg and may affect female fertility. Women who had THC in their follicular fluid showed a small increase in egg maturity but a lower rate of healthy embryos.

Around the Country 

Mississippi’s medical cannabis program is expanding rapidly, with an average of 50 new patient cards issued daily. As of August 2025, the state has approximately 50,000 active cards, up from 40,000 in June 2024. 

Texas retailers are relieved after the state legislature failed to pass a ban on THC products during the second special session. Despite this, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains committed to a total ban, citing concerns over youth access.

California’s use of drones to monitor illegal cannabis cultivation led to unintended consequences, including the targeting of residents without cannabis operations. In Sonoma County, drone surveillance resulted in fines, evictions and legal battles for individuals who had no cannabis involvement. 

From the swamp

Former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway is reportedly a strong proponent of rescheduling cannabis, according to a GOP congressman. Her support adds a notable voice to the ongoing debate over federal cannabis policy reform. 

OPINION: A Washington Post opinion piece argued that a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill allows children access to psychoactive hemp-derived substances like delta-8 and delta-10 THC. 

Fitch’s opinion declares outright: any hemp-derived product designed for ingestion or consumption that hasn’t been approved by the FDA, or distributed through a licensed medical cannabis dispensary, qualifies as a Schedule I controlled substance under Mississippi law. This interpretation overrides previous assumptions that these hemp products are legal under federal law.

Jay Mason, owner of Truman Cannabis and executive director of the Health Coalition of Mississippi, thinks Fitch’s opinion fails to recognize the differences between psychoactive hemp products that mimic marijuana and non-intoxicating ones like CBD.

“The Attorney General is considering any substance that comes from the cannabis plant a Schedule I narcotic, which is on the same level as LSD, as meth, as heroin,” Mason said. “That just doesn’t make sense.”

The advisory opinion isn’t legally binding, but it is already having a major impact.  Jackson County’s sheriff, John Ledbetter, sent 45 businesses letters warning them to clear prohibited products within 48 hours or face felony charges In Lafayette County, Sheriff Joey East personally delivered warnings to retailers, prompting swift compliance. Oxford’s police chief also began compliance checks after meeting local business owners and attorneys 

This reflects a patchwork regulatory reality where what is legal in one county may be a felony a few miles down the road. According to Mason, decisions on whether to pursue enforcement are often driven by potential legal risk, not public safety.

“That chief of police or the county sheriff is not going to enforce a law unless the county attorney says that they cannot be sued for doing so,” Mason said.

Adding to the confusion, the AG’s opinion uses the term “consumption,” which Mason noted could include non-edible products like CBD lotions or shampoos if prosecutors push the issue.

Henry Crisler, executive director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, has been saying statewide hemp regulations are needed for years. Now he worries a strict ban could leave those who rely on CBD to treat pain or anxiety with nowhere to turn.

“It is a shame that the ban is so far-reaching that it is affecting non-psychoactive, safe medicine that a lot of people in Mississippi use,” Crisler said.