WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed an executive order Dec. 18 to federally classify marijuana as a less dangerous substance, the biggest change for the drug since 1970 and an opportunity for the industry to operate more easily.
Trump directed the government to stop classifying marijuana as a Schedule I drug, which includes the most dangerous substances such as heroin, LSD and ecstasy. The Drug Enforcement Administration describes Schedule I substances as having no "medical use and a high potential for abuse."
Instead, Trump ordered that marijuana be classified as a Schedule III drug, which the DEA describes as having "a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."
"Today, I'm pleased to announce that I will be signing an executive order to reschedule marijuana from a schedule one to a schedule three controlled substance with legitimate medical uses," Trump said.
He added that the order "is not the legalization − does it legalize marijuana in any way, shape or form, and no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug."
