By Theodore Bunker | Friday, 12 December 2025 01:00 PM EST
The White House stated Friday that “no final decisions have been made on the rescheduling of marijuana,” a clarification that follows reports President Donald Trump is nearing an executive order to ease federal cannabis restrictions.
A White House official confirmed in a late Friday statement that the administration has not finalized any changes to marijuana’s legal status under the Controlled Substances Act. This comes after several news outlets reported the White House was close to directing federal agencies to reclassify the drug from Schedule I to Schedule III.
Currently, marijuana is classified as having “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” placing it in the same category as heroin and LSD under federal law. A shift to Schedule III would recognize medical applications while reducing regulatory burdens without full legalization.
Such a change could significantly impact research funding, banking access, and taxation. Cannabis businesses today face limitations under federal tax code Section 280E due to marijuana’s Schedule I status. The potential rescheduling could address these financial barriers for industry stakeholders. However, analysts note the move would not constitute full legalization but might ease some federal operational constraints.
Recent reports indicate President Trump held discussions with lawmakers and industry representatives about potential policy shifts. In August, the president indicated he was “looking at reclassification,” acknowledging the complexity of marijuana policy while noting differing perspectives on its benefits and risks.
This discussion arose after months of internal administration deliberations and ongoing review by the Drug Enforcement Administration of a rescheduling petition initiated under the previous administration. The White House’s Friday statement confirms no formal decision has been made.
Support for federal cannabis reform has grown across both political parties, reflecting decades-long public shifts toward legalization and medical access. However, the policy remains contentious, with some conservatives and law enforcement officials warning that any federal changes could send mixed signals about drug use and complicate enforcement efforts.
For now, investors, industry stakeholders, and policymakers are closely monitoring developments as the White House and federal agencies continue to assess the situation without a final resolution.
Theodore Bunker is a Newsmax writer with over a decade of experience covering news, media, and politics.
