By David Williams
In recent years, the conversation about marijuana has shifted significantly. Once only viewed as a recreational drug, it has gained traction for its medical benefits, yet the classification of marijuana remains a Schedule III drug, which limits access for patients who could seriously benefit from it. Rescheduling is not only common sense, but new polling shows that Americans may be ready for reclassification, which could help millions of patients.
There is overwhelming support for the rescheduling of marijuana. According to a recent poll conducted by Fabrizio, Lee, & Associates, released on March 6, 2025, “More than 70% of all voters and 67% of GOP voters are in favor of rescheduling cannabis as a Schedule III drug, while less than a quarter of each is opposed. The youngest cohort of voters shows the highest favorability, but even voters who are 65+ support rescheduling by a 41-point margin, 65%-24 %.”
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) divides drugs into five schedules based on their potential for abuse, medical usefulness, and safety. Schedule I drugs, as marijuana is currently classified, are considered the most dangerous, with no accepted medical use. Schedule II includes substances like opioids, which are highly regulated yet have recognized medical benefits. Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III would recognize the medical benefits, allowing for future research and medical advancements.
In August 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that marijuana be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III, based on HHS’ scientific and medical evaluation. In May 2024, the DEA proposed a rule that, if finalized, would make the change. Yet, marijuana remains classified under Schedule I, even though there is overwhelming support from the American people to reschedule this life-saving drug.
Today, patients and their caregivers must navigate alternative medicine on their own, as the drug is still federally illegal. Rescheduling marijuana could change that and change the lives of the patients who use it.
Sarah O’Hanlon and her son Owen, who was diagnosed with infantile spasms at 5 months old and has experienced seizures all his life, had to make extraordinary efforts to seek treatment. Owen was born in 2005, and when they exhausted all treatment options in their home state of Virginia, Sarah moved to Colorado, where medical cannabis was legal, in hopes of finding some seizure relief for her son. After moving across the country to help cure her son’s epilepsy, Sarah had to research and learn about cannabis all on her own. In 2015, there was less information on marijuana, and moreover, the drug’s status as a Schedule I means still less information was available on dosing and other topics. “It felt very wild, wild west,” Sarah said. Owen never achieved complete seizure freedom, but medical cannabis did make his life better. He had seizure reductions and increased recovery. He could bounce back faster and get better sleep, leading to a better life.
Not every patient has a supermom advocate like Sarah in their corner, nor should they have to. Rescheduling Marijuana to Schedule III would allow for future medical research and development, resulting in better-personalized treatments for patients just like Owen. The current Schedule I classification makes it more difficult for drug developers and researchers to obtain proper licensing and funding, which limits options and hinders innovation.
Growing the industry would also create more job opportunities and tax revenues for the state and federal government. The sector supported about 440,445 jobs in 2023, and U.S. cannabis sales reached over $31 billion in 2024. Rescheduling the drug would also grant licensed cannabis businesses federal tax benefits under Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code. Currently, cannabis businesses cannot deduct standard expenses such as rent, payroll, or marketing due to cannabis being a Schedule I.
Rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III would allow for growth in the industry, meaning more innovation and research for medical treatments. The Trump Administration has the opportunity to make historical changes by rescheduling the drug and acknowledging the medical benefits.
David Williams is the president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
