President Donald Trump displays an executive order pushing for the reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule III drug at a ceremony attended by cabinet members, physicians and leaders from veterans’ groups at the White House in Washington on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (Evan Vucci/AP)
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to speed the reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I drug, a significant change that would not federally legalize cannabis but lower the barriers for research and medical use.
Trump cited the benefits that veterans with chronic pain have experienced by using cannabis as an alternative to opioid painkillers, which carry risks of overdose and addiction.
The president’s order directs the attorney general to “expedite completion of the process of rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substance Act.”
A Schedule III controlled substance would recognize cannabis as having medical value and legitimate medical use.
Trump’s order does not change the classification but will help speed the process for reconsideration.
“This action has been requested by American patients suffering from extreme pain, incurable diseases, aggressive cancers, seizure disorders, neurological problems and more — including numerous veterans with service-related injuries and older Americans who live with chronic medical problems that severely degrade their quality of life,” Trump said during a White House ceremony attended by Cabinet officials, doctors and veterans’ groups.
Schedule I drugs, by contrast, are classified as drugs that carry serious risks of abuse, including LSD and heroin.
Trump said he has received a lot of communication from various advocacy and medical groups about the need for reclassification.
The executive order does not legalize marijuana or sanction the recreational use of marijuana, Trump said at the event.
“I’ve always told my children, ‘Stay away from drugs. Young Americans are especially at risk. Just don’t do it,” Trump said.
But Trump said he has learned that cannabis has medical applications when carefully administered, including as an alternative to harsher prescription painkillers.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also attended the ceremony.
