U.S. Reclassifies Medical Marijuana, Opens Path for Broader Review
Justice Department moves FDA-approved and state-licensed medical cannabis to Schedule III, promising tax relief, expanded research and an expedited DEA hearing on June 29 to consider broader rescheduling.
CBS NewsJustice Department eases restrictions on some marijuana products
Chicago Sun-TimesIllinois marijuana firms will get a massive tax break from Trump administration's historic weed shift
SemaforUS reclassifies marijuana as less harmful substance
PBS NewsHourWhat marijuana’s reclassification means for public health and businesses
Overview
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order placing FDA-approved marijuana products and state-licensed medical cannabis into Schedule III, the Justice Department said.
The Justice Department said the move follows President Trump's December executive order and aims to recognize state regulation while allowing research on safety and efficacy.
Verano founder George Archos estimated his company would save about $80 million a year from the tax change, while advocates and critics said rescheduling does not resolve federal-state legal conflicts, according to statements.
The order said any marijuana not FDA-approved or state-licensed remains a Schedule I substance, even as roughly 24 states plus Washington, D.C. allow adult recreational use and roughly 38 to 40 states allow medical cannabis, sources said.
The Justice Department and DEA opened an expedited administrative hearing process that includes a DEA hearing on June 29 to consider broader rescheduling of marijuana, the department said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources report neutrally: they present legal facts, policy steps and varied perspectives without loaded language. The coverage cites official definitions, DOJ actions, polling (Gallup, SAMHSA), tax and business impacts, and quotes attorneys and a psychiatrist. Editorial choices prioritize explanation and balance, attributing evaluative claims to quoted sources rather than framing them as facts.