• Trump reclassifies marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, facilitating medical research.
• The order does not legalize marijuana but shifts federal enforcement priorities.
• Reclassification may provide tax benefits to cannabis companies operating legally in states.
• Experts express mixed feelings about the implications for addiction risks and medical usage.
• Over 40 states allow medical marijuana, reflecting a evolving social landscape towards cannabis.

On December 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, moving it from Schedule I, which includes substances like heroin, to Schedule III, which encompasses drugs with recognized medical uses such as ketamine and codeine. This significant shift is intended to facilitate medical research and engagement with cannabis products for legitimate medical purposes, such as aiding individuals in pain relief and cancer treatment. Trump emphasized that while the move does not legalize marijuana, it allows for increased availability for "legitimate medical uses," according to Le Monde, India Times, and ABC News.

The reclassification aims to alleviate significant bureaucratic hurdles that have historically impeded extensive research on cannabis, which had previously been regarded as a Schedule I substance. Professor Chad Johnson from the University of Maryland explained that moving to Schedule III would simplify access for researchers, allowing for more substantial scientific inquiry into marijuana's benefits and potential dangers without excessive regulatory delays. "There's a lot of people tend to stay away from those S1 substances for that reason," he noted, implying that the previous classifications created barriers to impactful studies, according to ABC News and India Times.

Under the new order, federal enforcement is expected to relax concerning cannabis users and businesses, as Trump directs federal agencies to ease restrictions on marijuana-related operations, especially for non-intoxicating compounds like CBD. However, while the reclassification presents opportunities for medical research and cannabis companies, some experts warn of the potential increase in addiction risks associated with broader access to marijuana. Yasmin Hurd, director at the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai, expressed caution about how the changes might be interpreted as a signal that cannabis is unequivocally medicinal, according to Le Monde and ABC News.

In terms of financial implications, reclassifying marijuana under federal law could mean significant tax relief for companies operating legally in states where cannabis is permitted, as it would allow these businesses to claim typical business deductions currently unavailable to them due to their classification under federal law. As cannabis stocks reacted positively to the news, this economic angle highlights an emerging mainstream acceptance of marijuana as a regulated drug akin to other prescription substances, according to India Times and ABC News.

Trump's executive order reflects a broader shift in federal policy towards cannabis, moving away from the stringent drug-war politics of previous decades. This change illustrates an alignment with the reality of state laws, where cannabis usage for medical and recreational purposes is increasingly accepted. With over 40 states recognizing some form of cannabis use, Trump's actions could signal a substantial turnaround in federal attitudes towards marijuana, aligning them closer with contemporary public opinion and scientific inquiry, according to Le Monde, India Times, and ABC News.