Liputan6.com, Jakarta - On December 18, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that will significantly change the landscape of United States federal drug policy.
This order instructs the Attorney General to immediately begin the process of reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III.
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This progressive step marks a major shift in the federal government's approach to marijuana, which was previously categorized alongside substances with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
The executive order aims to facilitate medical research and reduce barriers to state-licensed marijuana industries.
This new policy, initiated by Donald Trump, is expected to have far-reaching impacts, ranging from easier access for patients to potential tax breaks for industry players.
What is Schedule 3 Drug?
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Schedule 1 drugs have "no established medical use and a high potential for abuse."
Trump directed that marijuana be classified as a Schedule III drug, which the DEA describes as having a "moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."
This reclassification potentially places marijuana, which previously had the same criminal status as drugs like heroin and LSD, on par with drugs with established medical uses, such as some acetaminophen-codeine combinations.
Speaking in the Oval Office during a signing ceremony on Thursday, Trump said that people have been "begging" for the change, particularly those in "great pain" from ailments including "incurable pain", cancer, seizure disorders and veterans with service-related injuries.
Marijuana Reclassification: Changes to the Federal Definition
The executive order signed by Donald Trump specifically directs the Attorney General to take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process.
The goal is to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug "in the most expeditious manner" consistent with existing federal law.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Schedule I drugs are substances that have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Examples of substances in this category include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy, demonstrating the stringent nature of marijuana's previous regulations.
Conversely, Schedule III drugs are defined as having a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
This category includes drugs such as Tylenol with codeine, testosterone, anabolic steroids, and ketamine, placing marijuana in a group with less stringent oversight.
This classification change signifies recognition of marijuana's medical potential.
However, it is important to emphasize that this change does not automatically legalize marijuana for recreational use at the federal level, since it focuses more on regulation and research, rather than full legalization for general consumption.
Policy Implications: Benefits and Limitations
Donald Trump's reclassification of marijuana is expected to significantly facilitate medical research on the substance.
Researchers will be able to more easily study the benefits and potential harms, as well as develop future marijuana-based treatments, paving the way for medical innovation.
For state-licensed marijuana industries, this policy could reduce a significant tax burden.
Previously, federal law prohibited businesses selling Schedule I substances from taking some tax deductions, so this change will ease their financial burden.
Furthermore, access to banking services for the industry is expected to improve.
President Donald Trump also emphasized that this measure will significantly benefit patients suffering from terminal illnesses, terminal illnesses, aggressive cancers, seizure disorders, neurological problems, and other serious medical conditions.
Furthermore, the order includes a new pilot program that will allow older adults to access legal hemp-derived CBD products at no cost, if recommended by a doctor.