Multiple Organizations Weigh in on Potential of Cannabis Rescheduling

This week, multiple organizations are voicing their positions on the potential rescheduling of cannabis. These responses come after comments earlier this month from President Donald Trump in regard to looking into the reclassification of cannabis and offering a timeline of two weeks for a decision on the possible change (1).

Recently, the nonprofit organization Drug Policy Alliance began a petition for the descheduling of cannabis entirely, rather than its proposed change from a Schedule I substance according to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to a Schedule III substance (2).

“Rescheduling to Schedule III would not end federal criminalization or stop arrests for marijuana-related conduct,” the petition reads. “Descheduling is the only way to truly end federal criminalization of marijuana by removing it entirely from the CSA.”

Addressed to President Trump, the letter in the petition references views expressed during his 2024 presidential campaign about ending "needless arrests and incarceration" for certain forms of cannabis possession, and lists an additional four reforms to complement the descheduling: ending federal criminal penalties, promoting expungements of convictions, various methods of protecting health and safety, and using tax revenue to support communities affected by prohibition (2).

The petition is anticipated to be sent to the administration in the next few weeks. It was first posted on the Drug Policy Alliance social media platforms on August 25 with part of the caption reading: “Most (88%) of Americans support legal marijuana. Ending federal criminalization is the only step that honors the will of the people,” (3).

Also on August 25, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) published a news article announcing they and a coalition had addressed a letter to Trump, requesting him to refrain from reclassifying cannabis (4). The letter details several arguments for keeping cannabis as a Schedule I substance, including lack of accepted medical use, high potential for abuse, tax breaks that would benefit drug dealers, the removal of drug testing in certain industries, and changing the perception of abuse potential of cannabis (5).

“President Trump has an opportunity to make a stand for the safety of children across America by opposing the flawed proposal to reschedule marijuana,” stated Kevin Sabet, SAM President, in the news article. “Marijuana has not been approved for any medical use by the FDA, nor has any raw plant. And it likely never will. It is an addictive drug with a high risk of abuse. That’s why it sat in Schedule I for decades and why it must stay there.”

Commenting earlier this month on the potential reclassification of cannabis, Kim Anzarut, CQA, CP-FS, CEO of Allay Consulting and author of the Stuck on Compliance blog, explained the potential impacts and considerations for the rescheduling of cannabis (1). “The President’s statement marks the clearest indication yet that cannabis rescheduling is a real possibility, though administrative and practical hurdles remain,” Anzarut stated. “Even at Schedule III, cannabis will remain a controlled substance, with interstate commerce restrictions, state program conflicts, and FDA/DEA oversight still in play. The most immediate benefit to the industry would be the elimination of 280E, providing licensed businesses with critical tax relief.” Anzarut also explained how operators can proactively prepare for the reclassification of cannabis through meeting GMP-level standards, ensuring OSHA compliance, and more.

References

1. McEvoy, E. Trump Administration Examining Possibility of Cannabis Rescheduling https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/trump-administration-examining-possibility-of-cannabis-rescheduling (accessed Aug 28, 2025).
2. Drug Policy Alliance. Tell Trump: End Marijuana Criminalization https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/tell-trump-end-marijuana-criminalization-0 (accessed Aug 28, 2025).
3. Drug Policy Alliance (@DrugPolicyOrg) “Most (88%) of Americans support legal marijuana.” August 25, 2025, 1:07 PM. https://x.com/DrugPolicyOrg/status/1960071665368354911 (accessed Aug 28, 2025).
4. Smart Approaches to Marijuana. SAM Releases Letter Urging President Trump Not to Reschedule Marijuana with Coalition Partners https://learnaboutsam.org/2025/08/sam-releases-letter-urging-president-trump-not-to-reschedule-marijuana-with-coalition-partners/ (accessed Aug 28, 2025).
5. Smart Approaches to Marijuana. Rescheduling Coalitions Letter https://learnaboutsam.org/2025/08/rescheduling-coalitions-letter/ (accessed Aug 28, 2025).