Former President Donald Trump has publicly expressed frustration with the Department of Justice (DOJ), claiming the agency is "slow-walking" the process of federally rescheduling marijuana. His remarks, made on Saturday, come four months after he issued an executive order aimed at expediting the rescheduling initiative. Trump explicitly urged the DOJ to "get the rescheduling done," indicating a desire to see swift action on the matter.
This development underscores the continued political attention surrounding federal cannabis policy reform, particularly the potential reclassification of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. While an executive order was issued, the implementation and pace of such significant policy changes often involve complex bureaucratic processes within federal agencies like the DOJ. Trump's public complaint suggests a perceived lack of urgency or progress from the administration's legal arm since his initial directive.
The rescheduling of cannabis has significant implications for the industry, potentially easing federal restrictions on banking, research, and interstate commerce, among other aspects. Trump's renewed pressure on the DOJ reflects ongoing internal and external debates about the timeline and execution of such reforms, keeping federal cannabis policy firmly in the political spotlight.