Trump signs executive order supporting medical marijuana

by · UPI

Dec. 18 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the federal government to hasten marijuana reclassification to enable research into its medicinal uses.

The president signed an executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to expedite the completion of rescheduling cannabis from a Class I drug with no medicinal uses and a high potential for abuse to a Class III drug that has medicinal uses.

"I want to emphasize that the order I am about to sign is not the legalization or it doesn't legalize marijuana in any way, shape or form, and in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug," Trump told media during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office.

"Unless a drug is recommended by a doctor for medical reasons, just don't do it," he added.

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"At the same time, the facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered."

The president said polling data affirm a large majority in the United States supports rescheduling marijuana, which currently is listed alongside illicit drugs like heroin, LSD and MDMA.

Changing marijuana to a Schedule III drug would place it among opioids, anabolic steroids, ketamine and other drugs that require prescriptions to obtain and use.

Department of Health and Human Services officials in 2023 first acknowledged that marijuana has legitimate medical use. And 40 states, plus the District of Columbia, have enacted medical marijuana laws and programs.

More than 30,000 providers of medical services are authorized to prescribe marijuana and cannabidiol for medicinal use, HHS officials said.

A lack of research on medical marijuana and CBD has made it difficult for medical professionals and their patients to follow established guidance on their use and better understand the potential effects.

It also makes it difficult to standardize medical marijuana due to its many strains and their varying potencies.

CBD oil has become more standardized, which makes it easier for doctors to prescribe dosages and for patients to follow such guidelines and federal regulations.

The White House said the president's executive order will help to provide such research on medical marijuana and make it easier for doctors and their patients to make more informed decisions on medical marijuana and CBD for medicinal use.