President Trump is planning to issue an executive order that would significantly relax federal restrictions on marijuana, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move would reclassify marijuana and its derivatives to have the same regulatory status as certain prescription painkillers and other drugs.
Trump discussed the plan with House Speaker Mike Johnson during a recent phone call, sources said. The president is expected to direct federal agencies to pursue reclassification through the executive order, which would ease barriers to research and potentially boost the profits of legal marijuana businesses.
This development marks a continuation of a process that began under President Joe Biden’s administration, which had proposed a rule to reclassify marijuana based on the recommendation of federal health officials. However, the proposal stalled after Trump took office.
While the move would not legalize or decriminalize marijuana, it would represent a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to the drug. Trump had previously mentioned that he was considering reclassification, and his administration is now expected to take action on the issue as soon as Monday.
