Will Marijuana Be Reclassified Federally As a Less Dangerous Drug? Here’s Where President Trump Stands

The conversation around marijuana at the federal level is heating up again. President Donald Trump has recently confirmed that his administration is reviewing whether marijuana should be reclassified as a less dangerous substance under federal law. If this happens, it could represent one of the biggest shifts in U.S. marijuana policy in decades.

Marijuana’s Current Federal Status

Right now, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This means it’s considered to have a “high potential for abuse” and “no accepted medical use,” the same category as heroin. For years, advocates have argued that this classification is outdated and ignores scientific research showing marijuana’s medical benefits.

What President Trump Has Said

President Trump recently stated that he will decide on marijuana rescheduling “in the coming weeks.” While he hasn’t committed to a specific outcome, he acknowledged that the current federal policy is being carefully reviewed.

This comes at a time when bipartisan lawmakers are urging the administration to take action. Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have pushed for marijuana to be moved to a lower schedule, which would make it easier to research, prescribe, and regulate.

Why This Matters

If marijuana is reclassified to Schedule III or lower, it would:

• Recognize marijuana’s medical use at the federal level

• Allow researchers to study marijuana more easily

• Reduce federal penalties for marijuana-related businesses

• Potentially open the door for wider legalization efforts across the country

Still, it’s important to note that rescheduling would not make marijuana fully legal nationwide. States would continue to control their own programs, and in Virginia, both medical and recreational marijuana are already legal. However, having a medical marijuana card still provides major advantages — including access to dispensaries, higher possession limits, and legal protections that recreational users don’t receive. Rescheduling may give federal recognition to marijuana’s medical value, but for Virginians, the benefits of joining the state’s medical program remain clear.

Political Reactions

The potential change has sparked strong reactions:

• Some Republican leaders, including Indiana’s governor, say rescheduling could accelerate legalization debates in their states.

• Trump’s former Attorney General pick suggested that if the President does reschedule marijuana, it could undercut Democrats’ messaging on legalization, since Trump would be the one leading federal reform.

• Some GOP lawmakers have introduced their own bills to reschedule marijuana, signaling growing support within the party.

What This Means for Virginia

Medical marijuana is legal in Virginia, and lawmakers continue to debate expanding access. If marijuana is moved to a lower schedule federally, it could strengthen the state’s program and make it easier for patients and providers to operate without fear of conflicting federal restrictions.

For Virginia patients, this could mean:

• Greater legitimacy and recognition of their treatment

• Easier access to medical marijuana products

• More protections for doctors who recommend marijuana

Looking Ahead

President Trump has promised a decision soon, and if marijuana is rescheduled, it would mark a historic shift in federal policy. Moving marijuana to Schedule III would recognize its medical use, make research easier, and ease some restrictions for patients, providers, and businesses. While it wouldn’t make marijuana fully legal nationwide, it would help reduce conflicts between state and federal laws.

Still, rescheduling doesn’t solve everything. Banking challenges, tax burdens, and interstate commerce restrictions would remain, and some advocates believe only full legalization can address these issues. For Virginia, though, federal recognition could bring more legitimacy to the state’s medical program, encourage more doctors to participate, and give patients greater confidence in accessing the relief they deserve.

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.

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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