Researches Should Rejoice: But Is It Changing Anything 💨💨 - Cannabis Community Rejoices as The President of the United States Ushers In Cannabis as Schedule III(3)

A Greener Future: New Classification for Cannabis

For decades, cannabis (marijuana) has been defined federally as a Schedule I drug, meaning it is classified as a substance with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. This classification has severely restricted both access and scientific inquiry, but the tide is turning as policymakers and medical experts increasingly recognize that marijuana can have legitimate medical applications when carefully administered. The widespread discussion regarding the potential reclassification of cannabis to Schedule III—a category for drugs with a moderate to low potential for dependence—signals a bright future that promises to unlock critical medical research and bring much-needed clarity to the cannabis industry.

The scientific future of cannabis is profoundly important because research into the plant directly led to the identification of an entire physiological system critical to human health: **the endocannabinoid system** (ECS) . Despite the fundamental role of the ECS, current medical education is falling short, as only 13% of medical professionals learn about this system in medical school [6]. By shifting policy, the medical community is encouraged to meet the moment and take a more integrative approach, equipping healthcare providers with the foundational knowledge of the ECS necessary to utilize cannabinoids safely in clinical practice.

A Positive Impact: The Future For Research 

Rescheduling will have a tremendously positive impact on the depth and breadth of scientific investigation  A reclassification order would make it far easier to conduct marijuana-related medical research, which is necessary to study the benefits, potential dangers, and future treatments associated with the substance [2]. Recognizing cannabis's legitimate medical potential is driven by facts and motivated by American patients suffering from extreme pain, incurable diseases, and chronic medical problems [2, 8]. In some cases, this access could even include use as a substitute for addictive and potentially lethal opioid painkillers.

In terms of future amendments and new laws, it is important to clarify that rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III **does not legalize marijuana** in any way, nor does it sanction its use as a recreational drug . Instead, this federal action compels the government to recognize that the substance can be legitimate in terms of medical applications [2]. This recognition is significant, particularly given that 40 states and multiple U.S. territories have already recognized the use of medical marijuana . The policy move is viewed by many supporters as a matter of common sense aimed at helping people who are suffering.

The policy discussion also opens the door for legislative adjustments concerning related substances. Congress is being asked to reconsider the classification of hemp-derived CBD to ensure seniors can access beneficial products for pain and other reasons. Such reconsideration, coupled with the move toward Schedule III, aims to provide relief to numerous veterans with service-related injuries and older Americans living with chronic medical problems. Ultimately, this process validates using cannabis as a tool that can potentially lead to the discontinuation of treatments with a greater potential to do harm.

For businesses in the cannabis sector, the shift in scheduling promises immediate and substantial financial relief through a fundamental tax structure change. Moving cannabis to Schedule III means that companies would no longer be prohibited by Section 280E of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code from deducting most business expenses. Instead, businesses would be able to pay taxes on operating income, like most normal businesses, as opposed to gross margin. For example, one company estimated that this change alone would equate to approximately $60 million more of free cash flow in a single year 

This substantial cash flow and regulatory clarity allows businesses to fuel rapid expansion, investing in new states, hiring more people, and building more facilities across the country. Currently, the cannabis industry generates over $3 billion of state tax revenue and employs over 400,000 people who struggle with accessing banking services and getting mortgages. Moving to Schedule III is expected to open up this access and allow the industry to continue its growth, making the most sense for jobs, American taxes, and American veterans.