The White House Wants More Medical Marijuana Research. Will Marijuana Be Rescheduled?
For years, marijuana has lived in a strange gray area. Millions of Americans use it legally under state medical programs, doctors see patients benefit from it, and CBD products are everywhere—yet at the federal level, marijuana has still been treated as if it has no medical value at all.
That may finally be starting to change.
In December 2025, the White House issued an executive order titled "Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research." The goal is simple but important: remove outdated barriers that make it hard for scientists to study marijuana and CBD and give doctors and patients better, research-backed information.
This action does not legalize marijuana nationwide, but it does signal a major shift in how the federal government views cannabis, especially for medical use.
Let's break down what's happening, what's not happening, and what people are asking. Will marijuana still be federally illegal? Will marijuana finally be rescheduled? We cover it all here.
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Table of Contents
Why Marijuana Research Has Been So Limited
For decades, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. That category is reserved for substances the federal government says have:
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no accepted medical use
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a high potential for abuse
Other Schedule I drugs include heroin and LSD.
Because of that classification, researchers have faced strict rules, long approval times, and limited access to quality marijuana for studies. Even when states legalized medical marijuana, federal research rules stayed mostly the same.
The result? Patients are using medical marijuana every day, but doctors still lack strong federal guidance on dosage, safety, and long-term effects.
What the New Executive Order Does
The executive order focuses on expanding research, not changing state or criminal laws overnight.
Here's what it sets in motion:
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It directs the Attorney General to move marijuana out of Schedule I
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It supports shifting marijuana to Schedule III, which recognizes medical use
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It encourages more research into medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD)
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It aims to reduce red tape that slows down scientific studies
This matters because Schedule III drugs are easier to research and are already used medically under federal law.
Will Marijuana Be Rescheduled?
This is one of the biggest questions people are asking. The short answer is yes, that is the goal.
The executive order supports rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. That change would officially recognize that marijuana has accepted medical uses and a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I substances.
However, rescheduling still requires formal rulemaking and regulatory steps. It is not instant.
What This Means for CBD Research
CBD, or cannabidiol, does not cause a "high," but it is widely used for pain, anxiety, sleep, and seizure disorders. The executive order specifically calls out CBD and pushes for better research into:
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safety
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effectiveness
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proper dosing
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product consistency
This is important because many CBD products are sold with limited oversight, and labeling can be inconsistent. More research could help both consumers and healthcare providers make better decisions.
What This Does Not Do
It's just as important to understand what this action does not change.
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It does not legalize marijuana nationwide
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It does not override state marijuana laws
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It does not erase past marijuana convictions
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It does not automatically change workplace drug testing rules
Why This Matters for Patients, Employers, and Healthcare
For patients, this could lead to safer and more effective treatments.
For doctors, it means better guidance backed by research.
For employers, it highlights why drug policy questions are becoming more complex as cannabis laws evolve.
This executive order does not settle the marijuana debate, but it does move the conversation away from outdated assumptions and toward evidence-based decisions.
So What's Next?
The question is no longer whether people use medical marijuana; they already do. The real question is whether federal policy will reflect reality.
This executive order is a step toward better science, clearer medical guidance, and smarter public policy. It does not legalize marijuana, but it does acknowledge something important: research matters, and patients deserve answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will marijuana still be federally illegal?
Yes. Marijuana will still be federally illegal under current law. The executive order focuses on research and rescheduling, not legalization. Even if marijuana moves to Schedule III, it remains a controlled substance at the federal level.
Will marijuana be federally legal?
No. This action does not make marijuana federally legal. Congress would need to pass legislation for full federal legalization. The executive order only addresses research and classification.
Will marijuana be rescheduled soon?
The administration is pushing for it, yes. The executive order supports rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. That process takes time and must follow regulatory steps, but the intent is clear.
Will marijuana still be a felony?
Under federal law, marijuana-related offenses can still be felonies, depending on the situation. Rescheduling alone does not remove federal criminal penalties or make it recreational. Enforcement priorities may shift, but the law itself does not automatically change.
Why does rescheduling matter if marijuana stays illegal?
Rescheduling matters because it:
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makes research easier
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allows more clinical studies
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gives doctors better data
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supports FDA-reviewed medical use
In short, it helps science catch up with real-world use.
