President Orders Cannabis Rules Relaxed, Easing Research

The New York Times — President Trump signed an executive order easing federal restrictions on marijuana, directing the reclassification of cannabis from the government’s most restrictive drug category. The change is intended to reduce barriers to scientific study and expand research into medical uses of cannabis and its derivatives.

The order downgrades marijuana from a category reserved for drugs like heroin, a designation that for decades limited clinical trials and complicated federal approvals. Administration officials stressed the move does not legalize marijuana nationwide or override state laws governing recreational or medical use.

President Donald Trump's order eases federal cannabis rules

— expanding research access while stopping short of legalization.

Trump’s action also authorizes a pilot program that allows Medicare to reimburse patients for products containing cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis that is widely used to treat pain, inflammation and certain seizure disorders.

Supporters argue the changes could accelerate research into treatments for chronic conditions while offering limited financial relief to seniors who already rely on CBD-based therapies. The administration framed the Medicare pilot as narrowly targeted rather than an expansion of broader cannabis coverage.

Despite the shift, the executive order stops well short of full legalization, leaving intact the patchwork of state laws that permit recreational or medical marijuana use. Federal criminal prohibitions remain in place, and marijuana businesses will continue operating under conflicting state and federal rules.

The move reflects growing bipartisan acknowledgment that existing marijuana policy is outdated, even as Washington remains cautious. By focusing on research and medical access rather than legalization, the administration signaled a willingness to loosen long-standing restrictions without fully embracing the sweeping reforms adopted by many states.