DOJ eases restrictions on some marijuana products
By: Zac Anderson
USA today
..... The Justice Department is easing federal restrictions on medical marijuana products licensed by states, reclassifying them as less dangerous substances.
.....
It was another big step toward reorienting federal policy around a drug that has been strictly controlled at the federal level for decades.
..... Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order April 23 [2026] that moves medical marijuana products approved by the Food and Drug Administration or with a state license from Schedule I, the highest level of regulation, to the less strict Schedule III.
..... "This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information," Blanche said in a statement.
..... The DOJ also ex expediting the hearing process to move broadly reclassify marijuana under federal law, following through on President Donald Trump's December 18 [2025] executive action aimed at finalizing a reclassification push begun under President Joe Biden.
..... Biden ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to review marijuana's classification in 2022, and the next year [2023] HHS called for listing marijuana as Schedule III. The Biden administration in 2024 proposed a rule to reschedule marijuana, but it was put on hold.
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The Drug enforcement Administration will hold an administrative hearing on the issue June 29. [2026]
..... Schedule I drugs are considered the most dangerous; the DEA describes them as substances with no "medical sue and a high potential for abuse." Those include heroin, LSD and ecstasy.
..... The DEA considers Schedule III drugs as ahivng "a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."
..... Marijuana isn't legal at the federal lever under Schedule I, but the change makes it easier for the industry to operate and for research to be conducted.
..... The drug is legal for medical or recreational sue in 45 states, and 64% of Americans supported legalization in a 2025 Gallup survey, up form 36% two decades ago.
..... Support for legalization has dipped recently among Republicans, through, Gallup found
..... Contributing: Bart Jansen USA Today