16/12/2025
Trump says he's "looking very strongly" at reclassifying canna from Schedule I to Schedule III. Here's what that actually means.
Current status:
Canna is Schedule I, same category as he**in. Schedule I means: high abuse potential, no accepted medical use, severe federal research restrictions.
The proposed change:
Move to Schedule III (same as Tylenol with codeine, ketamine). This would:
✓ Unlock federal research currently blocked by restrictions
✓ Make the industry more profitable and accessible
✓ Ease funding and banking barriers
✗ NOT fully legalise or decriminalise canna
✗ NOT expunge records of past offenses
Why this matters for patients:
Research restrictions have created a knowledge gap. Questions about dosing, long-term effects, drug interactions, and therapeutic applications remain unanswered. More federal research = better evidence = safer prescribing.
Important context:
The Biden administration pursued this but didn't enact it. Multiple bills from Democrats and Republicans have proposed similar moves, none passed yet.
Over 40 states have legalised medical canna. 24 states + D.C. have legalised recreational canna. But federal restrictions still block rigorous research.
At OnTracka, we believe reclassification matters not for industry profit, but for patient safety and scientific rigor. Evidence-based medicine requires data. You can't study what's federally illegal to study.
Research should drive policy.
Not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about canna use or health concerns.