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ARTICLE · 29 DECEMBER 2025

Long-Awaited U.S. Cannabis Rescheduling

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On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order (the Order) directing the U.S. Attorney General to expedite the rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act...

CanadaCannabis & Hemp
Jonathan Sherman
Jonathan Sherman
Tayyaba Khan
Tayyaba Khan
Manbir Grewal (Articling Student)
Manbir Grewal (Articling Student)
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On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order (the Order) directing the U.S. Attorney General to expedite the rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (the CSA).

Under the CSA, Schedule I controlled substances are defined as having no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, serving as the most restrictive category of drugs. Conversely, Schedule III controlled substances are defined as having a lower potential for abuse and currently accepted medical uses.

Rescheduling will not immediately become effective as a result of the Order, nor will cannabis be legalized at a U.S. federal level. However, the Order does mark a significant shift in U.S. federal policy.

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