Trump vocally supports rescheduling cannabis and the states’ right to vote but his administration leaves space for uncertainty. Photo credit: CNN.
It’s 2025. Donald J. Trump was sworn into office on January 20 and the future is unpredictable. The fate of various social issues is in the hands of a new administration.
LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, immigration, climate, and international relations are just a few of the topics facing the front lines of Trump’s campaign. Whereas, his stance on cannabis legalization sits further back in a grey area.
Trump is an extremist in most cases. But when it comes to cannabis, the subject is low on his priority list. Of course, he still has voiced opinions. Historically, the words and actions of political figures are rarely aligned. False hope and unfulfilled promises from both parties have left American citizens skeptical of their leaders for decades.
Unlike Republican presidents in previous terms, many of Trump’s ideologies contradict traditional conservative values. Throughout the years, when the president has been directly asked about cannabis, his vernacular is generally positive.
A Timeline of Trump’s Comments on Cannabis
In 2015, Trump appeared on The O’Reilly Factor. According to the Marijuana Policy Project, when Bill O’Reilly referred to medical cannabis as a ruse, Trump responded, “But I know people that have serious problems and they did that they really—it really does help them.”
In the same conversation, Trump is questioned about the $1 billion cannabis industry in Colorado. O’Reilly addresses the possibility that people are buying recreational cannabis in Colorado to distribute in other states. Trump replied, “That’s a real problem.”
Furthermore, he explained, “I would really want to think about that one, Bill. Because in some ways I think it’s good and in other ways it’s bad. […] Medical marijuana, medical? I’m in favor of it a hundred percent. But what you are talking about, perhaps not. It’s causing a lot of problems out there.”
Fast forward to today’s political climate, Trump’s comments about cannabis are sparse, yet, more supportive than ever. In September of 2024, the soon-to-be president-elect endorsed legalizing recreational cannabis in Florida. According to CBS News, Trump posted to his social media platform Truth Social, “As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. […] As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November.”
Still, the amendment for recreational cannabis in Florida did not reach the necessary 60% of votes needed to pass. Nevertheless, some see it as a silver lining that Trump’s perspective shifted more in favor of recreational cannabis at the state level.
Rescheduling Cannabis in 2025
At the forefront of the cannabis industry in 2025 is conversation around rescheduling cannabis. Under the Controlled Substances Act, all drugs and substances must be categorized based on factors like potential for abuse and scientific evidence of pharmacological benefit.
Currently, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug; meaning it has the highest risk for abuse and is federally prohibited for medicinal use. Initiated by the Biden Administration in 2024, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced they would begin the formal process for rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III—making it less restrictive and legal for medical use nationwide.
This is a surprising point of agreement for Biden and Trump. According to CBS News, Trump vocalized his intention to move forward with Biden’s plan on Truth Social.
Trump posted, “As president, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule III drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens.”
Whether these strides will come to fruition in 2025 is a different story. In an article published by The National Law Review, they speculate that the formal rulemaking process will not conclude in 2025.
However, according to Reuters, there is a possibility that a final ruling may happen at the end of this year. “While formal rulemaking can be a lengthy process (and in some instances can go on for years), given that witness testimony in the DEA’s rescheduling proceedings is currently scheduled to conclude on March 6, 2025, it is possible the DEA will publish a final rule in the latter half of 2025.”
Where do Trump’s Constituents Stand?
Thus far, Trump himself gives some cannabis industry professionals hope for progress. Whereas, his administration has a history of various contradicting opinions. For example, Pam Bondi, Trump’s U.S. attorney general, was known for opposing progressive cannabis laws during her tenure as Florida’s attorney general.
Now, Bondi will oversee the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its approach on rescheduling cannabis. But she is tight lipped on her opinions about the matter. When addressed with the topic during her confirmation hearing, Bondi responds, “If confirmed, I will give the matter careful consideration after consulting with appropriate department officials.”
However, Kim Rivers, CEO of Florida-based cannabis company Trulieve, endorses Bondi on X. An article in Cannabis Business Times explains, “[…] Rivers’ assertion that the state’s former attorney general was merely falling in line with Scott’s directive could be a good sign of what’s to come for her stance on federal cannabis policy.”
In other news, Trump’s cabinet also includes Terrence C. Cole; the nominee set to lead the DEA during Trump’s term. According to Cannabis Business Times, Cole is a primary threat to current pro-cannabis initiatives.
”During a visit 10 months ago to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, […] He made his position on cannabis somewhat clear when he included the hashtags #justsayno, #disorders, #notlegal4distribution and #healthissues on a LinkedIn post,” the publication reports.
In short, Trump’s administration is a mixed bag when it comes to cannabis. From the president himself vocally supporting cannabis rescheduling to vague positions and outright oppositions from his constituents, this issue just reaffirms that the future is unpredictable.
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