RismadarVoice Reporters, April 23, 2026
The United States Justice Department has announced a significant shift in federal marijuana policy, taking steps that could broaden access to medical cannabis and accelerate scientific research into its effects.
In a statement released Thursday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed he had signed an executive order to immediately reclassify FDA-approved and state-licensed marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal drug regulations.
Schedule I substances a category that includes drugs such as heroin, ecstasy and LSD are defined as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. By contrast, Schedule III substances are considered to carry a moderate to low risk of dependence, making them easier to study and prescribe under regulated conditions.
Blanche said the decision would take immediate effect while directing an expedited federal hearing scheduled for June 29 to assess broader changes to marijuana’s legal status.
“The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” Blanche said. “This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”
The policy shift follows an executive order signed in December by Donald Trump, which instructed federal agencies to fast-track cannabis reclassification. While the order stops short of legalising marijuana at the federal level, it signals a more permissive approach to its medical use.
A White House official said the administration is working “expeditiously” to implement the directive, aiming to close what officials describe as a gap between widespread medical marijuana use and limited clinical evidence.
Researchers have long argued that marijuana’s Schedule I status has hindered scientific study by imposing strict regulatory barriers. The new classification is expected to ease those constraints, potentially enabling more comprehensive investigations into its therapeutic value.
Advocates say medical cannabis may help manage symptoms associated with chronic pain, terminal illnesses and cancer. However, some health experts continue to urge caution, pointing to potential risks particularly among younger users including impacts on memory, attention and learning. Concerns have also been raised about possible long-term effects on male fertility.
Cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I substance since the early 1970s, during the administration of Richard Nixon, making the current move one of the most consequential federal policy shifts on the drug in decades.
The outcome of the upcoming federal hearing could determine whether further changes to marijuana’s legal status are on the horizon, as policymakers, researchers and public health experts continue to debate its risks and benefits.
