President Donald Trump (R) has claimed he will announce progress towards cannabis legalization via Executive Order soon.

The catch is that Trump will, at best, endorse moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III on the Schedule of Controlled Substances. That is known as rescheduling.

Descheduling Versus Rescheduling Cannabis

A large, national movement of activists, social justice non-profits, independent dispensaries, Multi-State Operators (MSOs), and Heady NJ believe that descheduling would bring about true federal cannabis legalization in a just and equitable manner that would help foster small independent businesses more than rescheduling.

According to an email from the legendary cannabis legalization advocacy group NORML, “it doesn’t resolve the growing conflict between federal and state cannabis laws, and it doesn’t provide any additional legal protections or guarantees for tens of millions of cannabis consumers or even the state-licensed dispensaries that serve them. And it does nothing for the people who have already been victimized by federal cannabis criminalization.”

Camden Apothecary dispensary CEO and pharmacist Tony Minnitti has said Schedule III would not favor the state legal cannabis market versus Big Pharma and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He also likes descheduling.

In fact, descheduling cannabis was the most popular political position in a survey of federal regulatory comments completed last year.

Former President Joe Biden (D) endorsed Schedule III marijuana rescheduling last spring 2024 after initiating the process in October 2022. That led to the comments and a show trial process controlled by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that stopped when Trump took office.

Notably, Trump recently increased federal enforcement against petty weed crimes on federal land, like national parks.

Many in the cannabis industry are desperate for progress and were happy about the notice. Section 280-E of the federal IRS Tax Code means that plant-touching companies can’t deduct expenses. So, it cuts into the margins of a lot of companies. It makes many desperate for any sort of reform, along with banking problems that even affect non-profits associated with the legalization movement and non-touching ancillary businesses like Heady NJ.

Industry and Advocacy Thoughts on Talk of Legalization Progress

“Any loosening of federal cannabis policy deserves acknowledgment. But a move to Schedule III introduces real uncertainty for small businesses in state-regulated markets,” said HoneyProjects CEO Jeffrey Miller of HoneyGrove and HoneyStash dispensaries.

“Ending the deeply unfair 280E era would be a welcome change. But we’ll be vigilant about the unintended consequences this shift could create if and when it becomes reality,” he added.

(Full disclosure HoneyProjects has an ongoing ad deal with Heady NJ.)

“About time!” said celebrity MSO grower Jim Belushi in a press release.

According to a release, they’re active in 18 states. Belushi’s Farm recently made a production deal to begin hustling in Jersey. In addition, Belushi advocates for patient rights, adult-use legalization, and the release of cannabis prisoners. He does so as an ambassador for the Last Prisoner Project, according to a release.

“Marijuana does not belong in the same legal category as the most dangerous drugs,” said Jillian Snider, a retired NYPD police officer working for the conservative R Street think tank in Washington, DC. “That step is welcome, but it still leaves federal prohibition in place.”

Praise for Talk for Trump’s Talk of Marijuana Reform Progress

“As a retired police officer, I’ve seen how unclear and outdated federal policy diverts law-enforcement resources away from serious crime and creates unnecessary legal confusion,” she noted.

“Full descheduling would provide clarity, consistency, and a more sensible framework that better serves public safety, patients, and communities,” Snider added.

“Everyone keeps asking why this, why now? The truth is, we need rescheduling, but we need it done responsibly,” Tamara Anderson, Founder of Culinary & Cannabis, argued.

“One minute the administration is talking about recalling hemp products, the next they’re floating a reschedule. Who are they listening to?” she asked.

“It’s clearly not the operators, patients, or communities who live this every day. It’s frustrating to see a plant that grows from the earth wrapped in endless rules while it continues to improve so many lives,” Anderson added.

Weed Opposition Strikes Back

The prospect of federal cannabis legalization progress has sent many opponents of marijuana reform and narc cop lovers into overdrive to maintain the status quo of federal marijuana prohibition.

It seems Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana doesn’t support Schedule III.

For example, Marijuana Moment reported that long-time justice and legalization opponent lobbyist Kevin Sabet has been mobilizing his troops and national network of influence.

Sabet was among the leaders of special interest groups fighting cannabis legalization in New Jersey. They failed to turn the tide against the large bipartisan coalition that has made great progress here in the great Garden State.

Republican Politics and Weed

Trump has been playing the multiple factions of the Republican Party, who don’t always agree well.

He learned to play politics and politicians like a fiddle in Jersey in Atlantic City on “The Apprentice” TV show. He seemed like a great businessman during the game show. This was despite the failure of his multiple hotels and casinos in Atlantic City. Nonetheless, he appeals greatly to pro-business and libertarian-minded voters.

So, Trump seems like he would endorse what narc cop lovers would claim is a vice. Especially because it brings in a lot of money.

Trump seemed pro-hemp in 2018 when he signed the Farm Bill. It legalized industrial hemp and opened loopholes that allowed THCA and other sorts of intoxicating hemp weed products to be sold at smoke shops. But he just signed a bill that made intoxicating hemp federally illegal again to close the loophole.

At the time, a lot of fiercely conservative right-wing Christian nationalists love Trump. And they hate the sacred herb, among other things. This is despite Trump living a life that is amoral at best and pro-rape at worst. They do like that he is pro-life and anti-gay.