Breaking News: President Trump Signs Executive Order to Reschedule Marijuana

Don’t miss important updates about Virginia’s marijuana program. Subscribe to our newsletter and get the latest straight to your email!

A major update to federal marijuana policy is now in motion! On December 18th, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to begin rescheduling marijuana under federal law. This move represents one of the most important federal shifts in decades and carries meaningful implications for medical marijuana patients.

Although this action does not legalize marijuana nationwide, it does formally recognize marijuana’s medical value and begins removing long-standing barriers that have limited patient access, research, and program growth.

What Changed at the Federal Level

For many years, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Substances in this category are defined as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

The executive order directs agencies to move marijuana to Schedule III. Substances in Schedule III are recognized as having medical value and a lower potential for misuse. This shift reflects what patients and medical professionals have seen firsthand across the country.

Medical marijuana is commonly used by patients managing chronic pain, cancer, seizure disorders, PTSD, and other long-term health concerns.

When announcing the order, President Trump noted that patients living with severe pain and serious medical conditions have been asking for this change for years, highlighting the role marijuana plays in improving quality of life.

What Rescheduling Does Not Do

Rescheduling marijuana does not make it legal under federal law. Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, and individual states continue to control how it is regulated and accessed. While rescheduling may help move future policy discussions forward, it does not create federal legalization, and nothing changes immediately for patients.

Virginia’s marijuana laws remain in place, and state rules still apply.

Why Medical Marijuana Still Matters in Virginia

Virginia allows adult-use possession, but recreational sales are not currently available through dispensaries. Licensed dispensaries in Virginia operate within the medical marijuana program, which means that to legally purchase marijuana products in Virginia, a valid medical marijuana card is required.

Having a medical marijuana card active allows patients to access tested, regulated products through licensed dispensaries and receive guidance based on medical needs from registered physicians. A valid card also provides legal clarity and ensures uninterrupted access as the state’s system continues to evolve.

Why Federal Rescheduling Is Important for Patients

Rescheduling brings meaningful benefits to medical marijuana programs nationwide, including here in Virginia.

One major impact involves federal taxes. State-licensed marijuana businesses have been limited by an IRS rule known as 280E, which blocks standard tax deductions. Moving marijuana to Schedule III allows those businesses to claim deductions that were previously unavailable, which, over time, can support decreased pricing, improved operations, and more access for patients.

Rescheduling also removes barriers to medical research. Since marijuana has been classified as Schedule I, research was difficult and limited. Removing those barriers allows for deeper research into how marijuana works, how it can be used safely, and which conditions may benefit most. Over time, this research can lead to improved medical guidance, treatment options, and outcomes for patients.

Hemp Review Included in the Executive Order

The executive order also directs federal agencies to review existing hemp laws. Hemp products remain subject to federal restrictions, and lawmakers continue to debate limits on intoxicating hemp-derived products.

The review focuses on improving access to full-spectrum CBD that does not produce intoxicating effects, with distribution limited to regulated, licensed dispensaries rather than unregulated retail locations. There is also discussion around whether certain non-intoxicating CBD products sold through dispensaries could eventually be covered under federal health insurance programs like Medicare.

If changes move forward, this could expand options for patients who rely on CBD for symptom relief without experiencing a high.

It is also important to understand that regulated medical marijuana is different from hemp products. Medical marijuana contains therapeutic levels of THC, which plays a key role in symptom relief for many patients, especially those managing chronic pain, muscle spasms, nausea, sleep disorders, and appetite loss. Hemp products, even full-spectrum options, are typically limited in strength and may not provide the same level of relief. For many patients, true medical marijuana offers more consistent, reliable, and impactful results than hemp-based alternatives alone.

What Virginia Patients Should Know

Federal marijuana rescheduling is a meaningful step forward, but it does not change Virginia law or patient requirements.

For patients in Virginia, maintaining an active medical marijuana card remains the only way to legally access marijuana at licensed dispensaries. As federal and state policies continue to evolve, staying certified ensures patients remain compliant and prepared to benefit from future changes.

Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Today

Lucky for you, medical marijuana is already available in Virginia! You can get your medical marijuana card and access dispensaries today! 

Recreational marijuana is legal in Virginia, but it does not mean much since there are no recreational dispensaries to purchase products from.

If you don’t already have your card, no worries. We can help! If you think you could benefit from medical marijuana, there is a good chance you would qualify for your medical card in the State of Virginia. There’s no list of qualifying conditions, so anyone with a medical condition could get a medical marijuana card! With telemedicine, it is now easier than ever to get your medical card from the comfort of your own home!

Schedule an evaluation online today, and we’ll make an appointment for you with one of our knowledgeable, compassionate doctors.

---

Doctors Who Care.

Relief You Can Trust.

At Virginia Marijuana Card, we’re here to make the process easy and stress-free. Our team is dedicated to helping you unlock the full benefits of Virginia’s medical marijuana program while improving your overall quality of life.

Don’t wait to start feeling better. Call us at (888) 633-5808 or schedule your evaluation today

For more blogs like this, plus patient resources and state updates, sign up for our newsletter!