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Trump Orders Marijuana be Reclassified to Schedule III

Does the executive order correctly balance medical need with patient safety, or enable dangerous addictions and Chinese cartels?

Published 4 hours ago

Trump Orders Marijuana be Reclassified to Schedule III

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Above: Marijuana is for sale on display during the Asia International Hemp Expo 2025 in Bangkok, on Nov. 5. Image credit: Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

In rescheduling marijuana, the Trump administration is merely following the science. As highlighted by the FDA, marijuana boasts several medical benefits capable of treating multiple ailments plaguing Americans. To improve their health care, therefore, it is necessary to enhance access to the drug while protecting them from harmful products.

Trump White House

Government-critical narrative

Rescheduling marijuana sends a dangerous message that this addictive drug is safe — 30% of medical users develop addiction, and the drug has no real medical value. Offering America’s children up as a sacrificial lamb will bring no benefits, save for the Chinese drug cartels operating thousands of farms nationwide, who will peddle their poison more easily.

Ted Budd on X

Libertarian narrative

Moving marijuana to Schedule III is an overdue admission that its original classification was complete nonsense and a step toward the right direction for countless Americans who need cannabis for legitimate medical use. The government’s war on pot, however, is far from over, and will not end until marijuana is decriminalized and legalized entirely.

Libertarian Party on X