Trump to Put Pot in Same Class as O-T-C Drugs

 Trump to Put Pot in Same  

   Class as O-T-C Drugs

M.A. Dworkin

     Washington, D.C. - After more than 50 years of being classified as one of the most dangerous substances, President Donald Trump is expected to sign an Executive Order that would reclassify marijuana’s legal status to match over-the-counter painkillers. It is understood that Trump has discussed his proposal with House Leader Mike Johnson and various cannabis company executives.

     According to several news sources, Trump will institute the move via an Executive Order which will instruct federal agencies to implement the reclassification.

Currently, recreational use of cannabis is legal in 24 states and medicinal use is legal in 40 states. But under federal law, it is classified the same as heroin, which is classified as a Schedule 1 substance. It is ranked as less dangerous than a Schedule II drug such as cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.

     In September 2025, Trump voted in favor of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis in his home state of Florida.

     “As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults to safe, tested products,” he went on to say: “As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states’ rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens.”

     The proposed reclassification would fall in line with recommendations advanced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). It would remove barriers to research but stop short of federal decriminalization or legalization of marijuana. 

     “This would mean research would be easier. It has all sorts of legal implications, but it would still be controlled, meaning it may or may not be treated like something you could get at a grocery store,” said Douglas Berman, Executive Director of the Drug Enforcement Policy Center at Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.   

     “Rescheduling a drug is different from descheduling a drug,” explained Mr. Berman. “So criminal cases would not be impacted. It would still be subject to all the controls, all the legality.” 

     The legal process of rescheduling a drug ends with final approval from the DEA. The problem is, Trump’s hand-picked DEA Administrator Terry Cole has a long history of opposing moves to loosen restrictions on marijuana. During his confirmation process earlier in the year, he declined to commit to continuing Biden Administration efforts to reschedule marijuana. 

     “Everybody knows my stance on marijuana after 30 plus years in law enforcement, so don’t even ask!” Mr. Cole posted on Linkedin. 

     Speaker of the House Mike Johnson also has a long history of opposing pro-cannabis legislation. During Trump’s Oval Office meeting with marijuana industry leaders and health officials, Mr. Johnson, who was phoned in, expressed skepticism about reclassifying the drug. But apparently Trump turned the phone over to the executives gathered around his desk, who rebutted Mr. Johnson’s arguments.

     Despite the internal opposition to Trump’s reclassification proposal, it is difficult to believe the President will not have his way on the matter. He is not prone to lose too many arguments within his inner circle.