Trump Administration Prepares Imminent Marijuana Rescheduling as President Expresses Frustration with Slow Process

The Trump administration is moving aggressively to fulfill one of its key campaign promises, with White House officials telling federal agencies to prepare for the imminent loosening of restrictions on marijuana. This development comes after President Trump publicly expressed frustration with the pace of federal drug policy reform.

Executive Action on the Horizon

According to four anonymous sources familiar with the administration's plans, officials are considering multiple strategies to reclassify marijuana from its current Schedule I status—the same classification as heroin—to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This would place marijuana in the same category as common prescription painkillers, marking a historic shift in federal drug policy.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is reportedly discussing announcing a new administrative hearing, a required procedural step in the rescheduling process. Alternatively, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche could directly announce the reclassification and delegate marijuana licensing authority to individual states.

Presidential Frustration Boils Over

Trump's impatience with the bureaucratic process became apparent during a weekend Oval Office meeting, where he was caught on camera addressing the issue directly. "Will you get the rescheduling done, please?" the president said, appearing to direct his comments toward White House policy officials.

In a moment that highlighted his frustration, Trump turned to podcaster Joe Rogan, stating, "Joe, they're slow-walking me on rescheduling." Rogan, a well-known advocate for marijuana and psychedelic rescheduling, was present as Trump prepared to sign an executive order on psychedelics.

Building on December Executive Order

This push builds on Trump's December 18 executive order directing federal agencies to ease marijuana restrictions and increase access to CBD for medical research. At the time, Trump emphasized his focus on medical applications while maintaining that he wasn't pursuing federal decriminalization.

"Unless a drug is recommended by a doctor for medical reasons, just don't do it," Trump said in December. "At the same time, the facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered."

Overcoming Biden-Era Obstacles

The Trump administration's efforts represent an attempt to complete what the Biden administration started but failed to finish. President Biden's Justice Department formally recommended marijuana reclassification to Schedule III in 2024, but the process stalled due to legal disputes and pending DEA administrative hearings.

To expedite the process, the Trump administration may end those ongoing hearings and initiate a fresh rescheduling procedure, according to sources familiar with the plans.

Public Support Remains Strong

Polling data suggests the American public supports marijuana reform, though with some nuance. An Economist/YouGov poll conducted this month found 53 percent of adults favor legalization, including 35 percent of Republicans. However, support has softened from 2022 levels, when 60 percent supported legalization, including 46 percent of Republicans.

Expert Perspectives Divided

Drug policy experts acknowledge the administrative requirements that may be causing Trump's frustration. Regina LaBelle, director of the Addiction and Public Policy Initiative at Georgetown University Law Center and former drug policy official in the Obama and Biden administrations, noted that agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services must conduct mandatory public health and safety reviews.

"His frustration with government processes, particularly those that protect public health, is evident," LaBelle said. "The executive order doesn't negate the need for the analysis that HHS and DEA are obligated to follow."

Meanwhile, critics express concern about the societal impacts of increased marijuana availability. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, pointed to studies linking youth marijuana use to later schizophrenia development and quality-of-life concerns in communities where the drug has become more prevalent.

On the other side, legalization advocates argue federal restrictions are outdated. Joe Rogan summarized this perspective on his December podcast: "I feel like it should be like alcohol. I think you should be of a certain age to be able to use it."

What's Next

With the administration's plans still in flux, the exact timeline and methodology for marijuana rescheduling remain uncertain. However, Trump's public frustration and the White House's directive to federal agencies suggest movement could come within weeks rather than months, potentially marking one of the most significant shifts in American drug policy in decades.