There has been some news about the classification of marijuana changing. While President Trump has been taking steps to enact a new schedule classification, nothing has been formally enacted yet.
On December 18, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing the Attorney General to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). While the executive order was issued, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have not taken final action on the proposed rescheduling. It is unknown if and when they will do so.
Changing the marijuana schedule can bring about positive changes. Marijuana is currently controlled under Schedule I. These are drugs with no currently accepted medical use that have a high potential for abuse. Schedule III drugs are currently accepted for medical use in treatment in the United States.
This is the direction the president wants to take. The current Schedule I position of marijuana has impeded research. The lack of appropriate research on medical marijuana and consequent lack of FDA approval leaves Americans without options for pain. Chronic pain affects 1 in 4 United States adults and more than 30% of seniors. Studies show that 60% of people who use medical marijuana do so to manage pain.
Why is Marijuana a Schedule I Drug?
Under federal law, cannabis and its derivatives generally fall into one of two categories: marijuana or hemp. The CSA classifies the cannabis plant and its derivatives as marijuana. Marijuana is currently listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA.
Federal law defines hemp as the cannabis plant with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of no more than 0.3%. In November 2025, Congress passed legislation revising this definition so that hemp is measured by total THC concentration, rather than delta-9 THC alone. This updated definition is set to take effect in November 2026. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis, falls within the legal definition of hemp. Hemp is not considered a controlled substance under the CSA.
The CSA regulates drugs by placing them into one of five schedules, labeled Schedule I through Schedule V. Congress classified marijuana as a Schedule I substance when it enacted the CSA in 1970. Lower schedule numbers carry stricter regulatory controls, with Schedule I substances subject to the most severe restrictions. More than 55 years have passed, and now that more is known about the effects of marijuana, the schedule needs to change to better serve Americans.
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Classifying cannabis as a Schedule I drug prevents people from using it for their ailments. Many people find pain relief from cannabis use, but its current classification is preventing necessary research.
Despite federal restrictions, cannabis is legal in New Jersey. Stop by City Leaves and score the best bud at the best price. Our knowledgeable team can help you choose the right products. Visit us today. Call (609) 288-8574 or stop in today.
New Classification of Marijuana FAQs
What is the current federal classification of marijuana in the U.S.?
A. Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it is considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
What change to marijuana’s classification has been proposed or directed recently?
A. In December 2025, an executive order directed the U.S. Department of Justice and DEA to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, which would recognize medical use and reduce regulatory restrictions — though that change has not yet been finalized.
Why would reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III be significant?
A. Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III could ease federal restrictions, improve research opportunities, and acknowledge its medical potential, addressing concerns that the current Schedule I status has hindered scientific study and access to therapeutic options.