By SCN Desk
The US Department of Justice under President Donald Trump has eased federal restrictions on certain medical marijuana products, while recreational cannabis remains illegal under federal law.
Under the new DOJ action announced on April 23, FDA-approved marijuana products and cannabis regulated under state medical marijuana programs were moved from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
The move reduces restrictions on some medical marijuana products and could provide tax and business benefits for parts of the cannabis industry. However, experts say the decision does not fully legalize marijuana nationwide.
Federal law still classifies most cannabis products as illegal, despite many US states allowing medical or recreational marijuana use.
The latest action highlights the continuing conflict between state marijuana laws and federal regulations across the United States.
Marijuana had remained listed alongside drugs such as heroin and LSD under Schedule I since 1970, meaning it was considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Public support for legalization has steadily increased in recent years, with both former President Joe Biden and President Trump supporting some form of marijuana rescheduling.
Experts say the DOJ’s latest move is limited and does not resolve broader legal confusion surrounding cannabis laws in America.