President Donald Trump said he is seriously considering an executive order to reclassify marijuana, citing the impact current federal law has on scientific research, during remarks made at a Mexican Border Defense Medal presentation.
Trump was asked directly whether it was accurate that he is considering an executive order to reclassify marijuana under federal law. In response, he confirmed the idea is under active consideration and emphasized research barriers tied to marijuana’s current classification.
“We are considering that, yeah,” Trump said. “Because a lot of people want to see the reclassification because it leads to a tremendous amount of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify. So we are looking at that very strongly.”
The comments represent one of Trump’s most explicit public acknowledgments that his administration may move forward with executive action on marijuana policy. His focus on research aligns with long-standing criticism of marijuana’s placement in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, a category reserved for substances deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. That classification has limited researchers’ ability to study marijuana, even as dozens of states operate regulated medical and adult-use markets.
Trump’s remarks come as anticipation has grown within the marijuana industry and among policymakers over whether the White House will take unilateral action to change marijuana’s federal status. Recent media reports say Trump could sign a rescheduling-related executive order as soon as this week. Reclassification would not legalize marijuana nationwide, but it could significantly expand research access, ease regulatory barriers, allow FDA-approved cannabis medicines to be prescribed nationwide, and alter how marijuana is treated across federal agencies.
