Current Status
- Rescheduling on hold: As of April 2025, the Trump White House confirmed that rescheduling cannabis—moving it from Schedule I to III under federal law—is not a first-year priority. Read More: vicentellp.com However, this doesn’t shut the door entirely—it signals a cautious approach and illustrates that ongoing congressional work remains crucial .
- Budget changes: The FY 2026 budget proposal from Trump explicitly repeals longstanding federal protections for state-legal medical cannabis users and providers. This would eliminate the Rohrabacher–Blumenauer rider, which shields state-legal activity from federal interference—even though Congress must ultimately approve. Read More: norml.org
Policy Signals & Leadership Moves
- New DEA leadership: Trump’s nominee for DEA head, Terrance Cole, said cannabis rescheduling will be one of his first priorities upon confirmation. Read More: dentons.com
- DOE & HHS background: The DOJ under Trump will continue the rescheduling rulemaking that began under Biden, including the proposed DEA hearing reset. The hearing—originally scheduled for Jan 2025—was paused pending internal review. Read More: mwe.com
- State-rights stance: The administration has reiterated that legal cannabis policy should be a state-by-state decision, signaling federal restraint in regulated jurisdictions. More Here: council.rollingstone.com
Advocacy & Public Pressure
- High-profile lobbying: A coalition led by Mike Tyson, Kevin Durant, Dez Bryant, Allen Iverson, and others recently urged Trump to accelerate cannabis reform. Their three-point agenda includes federal clemency for nonviolent convictions, rescheduling to Schedule III, and passage of SAFE Banking protections. Read More: as.com
- Industry unity: The newly formed U.S. Cannabis Roundtable—combining major players under Trump’s term—supports rescheduling, SAFE Banking, and reform push-through. It claims representation of 450K employees and 13K dispensaries nationwide. Read More: marketwatch.com
Contradictions & Concerns
- Budget rollback risks: The repeal of federal protections could make state-level medical users and providers vulnerable to federal prosecution, reversing over a decade of safe harbor.
- DEA’s resistance: Despite administrative intentions, the DEA has shown a firmly skeptical position on rescheduling. Stakeholders accuse the agency of bias and resisting reform .
- Congressional uncertainty: The House Appropriations Committee is probing Biden-era HHS/DEA decisions, while efforts like STATES 2.0 (April 2025) continue to push for stronger protections, deregulating cannabis at the federal level.
What Comes Next?
- DEA hearings and Cole’s agenda
Training and hearings for cannabis rescheduling are likely to resume following Cole’s confirmation . - Budget/report battles
Congress will determine whether to preserve or remove protections in the final FY 2026 funding bills. - Senate bills & state rights
Legislation like STATES 2.0 and the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act remain under active discussion. - Public & celebrity pressure
Advocacy from high-profile voices—Tyson, Durant, the U.S. Cannabis Roundtable—keeps reform in the national conversation.
Big Picture
| Issue | Trump Admin Stance |
|---|---|
| Rescheduling | Low immediate priority, but DEA nominee supportive |
| State protections | Federal riders rescinded in proposed budget |
| SAFE Banking | Express support, backed by Trump-adjacent agendas |
| Clemency & Justice | Pushed by advocacy coalitions aiming to influence policy |
| State autonomy | Affirmed; federal non-interference in legal states |
Final Take
Under Trump’s second term, cannabis reform is ambitious yet cautious. On one hand, there’s serious movement—DEA leadership signals, bipartisan advocacy, industry trust-building. On the other hand, budgetary rollbacks undermine medical protections and leave federal regulation in limbo.
Optimism clings to administrative appointments and ongoing rule-making; yet, success depends on Congress’s will, DEA’s openness, and relentless advocacy. As it stands, the Trump administration could shape cannabis law in profound ways—if it balances bold reforms without stripping protections that states and patients depend on.
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