Personalized attention +34 96 206 62 98
Free shipping to Iberian Peninsula from 30€
9/10 Rating
Discreet shipping
Cannabis policy in the United States has just experienced one of its most significant moments in decades. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order推动ing the federal rescheduling of marijuana, removing it from the most restrictive category of the U.S. legal system, Schedule I. Although the announcement has generated headlines talking about “legalization,” the reality is more complex and, precisely for that reason, deserves a clear explanation without exaggeration.
This move does not automatically make cannabis legal at the federal level, nor does it directly open the door to nationwide recreational use. However, it does represent a profound shift in how the federal government recognizes and regulates this plant, particularly regarding medical use, scientific research, and the legal treatment of the industry.
At GB The Green Brand, we believe that discussing cannabis requires context, data, and rigor. That’s why we are breaking down what this decision truly means, what does not change, and why many consider it a historic milestone.
The “Schedule” system: how the U.S. classifies drugs
To understand the scope of the measure promoted by Trump, it is first necessary to understand how the federal substance classification system works in the United States. The law known as the Controlled Substances Act groups drugs into different categories called Schedule, based on three main criteria: potential for abuse, health risk, and recognized medical value.
For more than 50 years, marijuana has been included in Schedule I, the most restrictive category. This group includes substances considered highly dangerous, with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Drugs such as heroin or LSD are also listed in this category.
The executive order signed by Trump instructs the relevant federal agencies to initiate the process of moving cannabis to Schedule III, a category that includes controlled-use medications with recognized therapeutic applications.
This detail is key: it is not merely an administrative change, but rather an institutional acknowledgment that marijuana no longer fits the historical narrative that has surrounded it for decades.
| Substance classification under the U.S. Schedule system | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Description | Examples of substances | Recognized medical status |
| Schedule I | Substances considered high risk with no accepted medical use at the federal level | Heroin, LSD, cannabis (until now) | No |
| Schedule II | Drugs with limited medical use and high government control | Morphine, oxycodone | Yes, very restricted |
| Schedule III | Substances with accepted medical use and lower abuse potential | Codeine (low doses), ketamine | Yes |
| Schedule IV–V | Medications with low abuse potential | Anti-anxiety medications, codeine cough syrups | Yes |
From Schedule I to Schedule III: what Trump’s change means
Moving cannabis to a less restrictive Schedule has significant practical implications, although not immediate ones. The administrative process still needs to be completed, which may take months or even more than a year. Even so, the political and regulatory message has already been sent.
Being placed in Schedule III means acknowledging that marijuana may have accepted medical use, even though it remains a regulated substance. This facilitates:
- The development of clinical studies and scientific trials.
- Access for universities and medical centers to research material.
- A less punitive approach from a federal perspective.
- A review of the tax and regulatory framework affecting industry companies.
In practice, this means dismantling one of the main barriers that has slowed scientific progress on cannabis for decades.
Trump and the shift in the official cannabis narrative
Trump’s decision has surprised both critics and allies. Historically, conservative U.S. discourse has been one of the main drivers of hardline drug policies. However, the social context has changed dramatically.
Today, a broad majority of the U.S. population supports medical cannabis legalization, and a significant portion also backs regulated recreational use. In this context, keeping marijuana in Schedule I was becoming increasingly difficult to justify.
Trump has framed the measure as a response to the suffering of millions of people with chronic pain, serious illnesses, or neurological disorders, as well as the need to modernize an outdated legal system. Beyond political interpretation, the move marks a clear shift in tone from the federal government itself.
What does change with the rescheduling
Although there is no automatic legalization, the change in Schedule has concrete effects:
1. Increased scientific research
The previous status made cannabis research extremely complex. With Schedule III, bureaucratic barriers are reduced, and its study is normalized from a medical and pharmacological perspective.
2. Recognition of therapeutic use
The federal government officially acknowledges that marijuana may have medical value—something that, for years, had only been recognized by individual states and the scientific community.
3. Partial relief for the legal industry
Companies operating legally in regulated states could benefit from a more reasonable tax framework, although banking and commercial challenges still remain.
4. Shift in the institutional narrative
Leaving Schedule I behind dismantles one of the symbolic pillars of the “war on drugs.”
What does NOT change
Despite the media impact, there are clear limits that should be understood:
- There is no federal legalization of cannabis.
- Recreational use still depends on each state’s legislation.
- Cannabis remains a regulated and controlled substance.
- Legal and banking issues in the industry do not disappear automatically.
The Schedule change is a step forward, not the end of the road.
| What changes when moving from Schedule I to Schedule III | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aspect | Before (Schedule I) | With the change to Schedule III |
| Medical recognition | Not recognized at the federal level | Officially accepted medical use |
| Scientific research | Heavily restricted | More accessible to universities and laboratories |
| Federal legalization | No | No (still illegal at the federal level) |
| Recreational use | Depends on the state | Depends on the state (no change) |
| Industry impact | High tax and legal pressure | Possible partial relief, not automatic |
CBD, medical cannabis, and older adults
One of the most interesting aspects of the debate generated by this rescheduling is the role of non-psychoactive cannabinoids, such as CBD. Although the executive order does not go into specific details, the new federal approach makes it easier for these compounds to be evaluated from a more pragmatic medical perspective.
This may be particularly relevant for older adults, patients with chronic pain, or those with degenerative diseases, where interest in less aggressive therapeutic alternatives continues to grow.
Political resistance to Trump’s move and the ongoing debate
Not everyone has welcomed Trump’s decision. Political and social groups continue to express concerns about potential effects on mental health, road safety, and workplace environments.
This clash of perspectives reflects an evident reality: science, society, and politics do not always move at the same pace. Even so, the Schedule change appears difficult to reverse in a context where more and more states are regulating cannabis in one way or another.
Why this move matters globally
The United States remains an international benchmark in drug policy. What happens there creates a domino effect in other countries, especially in Europe and Latin America.
The fact that the U.S. federal government now acknowledges that cannabis does not belong in Schedule I strengthens the global debate on regulation, medical use, and public health–based approaches instead of automatic punishment.
The rescheduling driven by Trump does not make cannabis a harmless substance, but it does remove it from a category that never aligned with the available scientific evidence. It is a step toward a more mature, less ideological, and more data-driven debate.
At GB The Green Brand, we remain committed to providing clear, responsible, and contextualized information. Because understanding cannabis is the first step toward regulating and using it responsibly.
