Trump Executive Order Set to Reclassify Marijuana, Improve CBD Access

The Trump Administration signed an executive order on Thursday to begin taking necessary steps in rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III drug and making cannabidiol (CBD) products more accessible.¹ According to a CNBC news report, this order was designed to limit or eliminate previous restrictions on cannabis-related research, banking, and taxing.²

“The federal government’s long delay in recognizing the medical use of marijuana does not serve the Americans who report health benefits from the medical use of marijuana to ease chronic pain and other various medically recognized ailments,” wrote President Donald Trump in the executive order.¹ “Americans who often seek alternative relief from chronic pain symptoms are particularly impacted.”

On top of increasing access to both marijuana and CBD products, the administration also announced a Medicare pilot program for beneficiaries to more easily access CBD products to treat chronic pain and other conditions. This would mark the very first time cannabis-derived products are included on federally insured health plans.²

READ MORE: Navigating Cannabis Use in Health Care Settings | ASHP Midyear

Conflicting Opinions on the New Order

As the CNBC report noted, markets declined following the announcement of the order. This market “slump”—among several other changes expected following the order—could be owed to the uncertainty to come between medically prescribed marijuana operators and those that dispense it recreationally.

Highlighting these uncertainties and the polarization within the topic of medical marijuana, some groups applauded the order, while others fear its repercussions. Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Executive Director Robin Schneider said that “President Trump's decision to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III is a significant win for our industry, and we are grateful for his leadership.”³

However, some medical experts are not as excited about marijuana’s potential rescheduling, despite a slew of research supporting its medical use.

“This rule, if finalized, will herald a public health disaster,” said Kevin Sabet, PhD, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.⁴ “It’s a full betrayal of the President’s promise to keep all Americans safe and healthy.”

What Is Expected from this Marijuana Executive Order

Despite significant strides throughout the 21st century, marijuana is federally perceived as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it has high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and a lack of accepted safety data.⁵

However, states began deciding marijuana use capabilities on their own in 1996 when California became the first to legalize marijuana’s use for medicinal purposes. By 2017, a total of 28 states allowed the use of medicinal marijuana. And as of May 2025, 38 states allow medical use and 24 allow its recreational use—but the federal government continued to hold out, until now.⁶

“The Attorney General shall take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process related to rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III of the [Controlled Substances Act] in the most expeditious manner in accordance with Federal law,” according to the order.¹ “The Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political, and Public Affairs shall work with the Congress to update the statutory definition of final hemp-derived cannabinoid products to allow Americans to benefit from access to appropriate full-spectrum CBD products while preserving the Congress’s intent to restrict the sale of products that pose serious health risks.”

Realizing the previously reported benefits of CBD and marijuana, the administration wants to move these products from Schedule I to III, bypassing the Schedule II category of drugs. While many states have made the move to reclassifying these drugs, the key step in marijuana’s evolution is rescheduling.

From lifting banking restrictions to avoiding the need for compliance-related fears, rescheduling marijuana will essentially break down silos between the federal government and marijuana vendors.

However, with so many nuances to marijuana use across state and federal governments, as well as insurance plans and company policies, this move to reschedule marijuana will be gradual and could be challenging for potential stakeholders. Although this rescheduling is attempted to occur throughout President Trump’s Administration, more research will also be conducted to further understand the benefits and risks of these products.

“It is the policy of my Administration to increase medical marijuana and CBD research to better inform patients and doctors,” concluded Trump in the executive order. “It is critical to close the gap between current medical marijuana and CBD use and medical knowledge of risks and benefits, including for specific populations and conditions.”

READ MORE: Most Favored Nation: Global Benchmarking to Reimagine US Drug Distribution

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REFERENCES

1. Increasing medical marijuana and cannabidiol research. The White House. December 18, 2025. Accessed December 19, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/increasing-medical-marijuana-and-cannabidiol-research/

2. Fountain L, Gomez B. Trump signs executive order reclassifying cannabis, opening door to broader weed access. CNBC. December 18, 2025. Accessed December 19, 2025. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/18/trump-pot-reclassification-cannabis-stocks-medicare-cbd.html

3. Prestininzi J. Trump wants to reclassify marijuana. What to know about US drug schedule. Detroit Free Press. December 19, 2025. Accessed December 19, 2025. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/12/19/donald-trump-executive-order-marijuana-drug-schedule/87842383007/

4. DeFusco J. What does rescheduling marijuana mean? Get the facts on President Trump’s executive order. December 18, 2025. Accessed December 19, 2025. https://www.wmur.com/article/what-does-rescheduling-marijuana-mean-get-the-facts-on-president-trumps-executive-order/69812558

5. Bridgeman MB, Abazia DT. Medicinal cannabis: history, pharmacology, and implications for the acute care setting. P T. 2017 Mar;42(3):180-188.

6. Van Buskirk D. Where is cannabis legal in North America in 2025? Cova Software. June 6, 2025. Accessed December 19, 2025. https://www.covasoftware.com/blog/where-is-cannabis-legal-in-north-america-in-2025