Cannabis reform is not among President Donald Trump’s top drug policy goals for his first year back in office, according to a statement from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Instead, the administration plans to prioritize tackling drug trafficking and addressing the opioid epidemic, with a particular focus on substances like fentanyl.
Although cannabis rescheduling efforts began under President Biden, progress has stalled due to complications with DEA hearings. Supporters of cannabis reform had hoped Trump would take action, especially since he expressed support for the idea during his campaign. However, he has remained quiet on the matter since taking office again, and the new drug policy roadmap makes no mention of marijuana.
Despite cannabis being left out, the administration also hasn’t indicated it will increase enforcement against cannabis like it plans to with drugs such as meth, heroin, cocaine, xylazine, and fentanyl. That neutrality may come as a relief to reform advocates. Some parts of the plan could even be seen as positive, such as efforts to broaden access to naloxone—the medication that reverses opioid overdoses—and pushing states to make drug test strips more available to the public.
The ONDCP says the president’s policy focus may expand over time as drug trends evolve. For now, the administration is emphasizing enforcement and prevention measures to protect communities, schools, and the border from the dangers of illegal substances.
Cannabis supporters argue that legal marijuana could help reduce opioid addiction and deaths, pointing to studies that show lower rates of opioid use in states where medical cannabis is available. With Trump having previously voiced support for medical marijuana, the complete omission of cannabis from the current plan is seen by some as a missed chance to incorporate a potential tool in the fight against opioids.
Whether this stance could shift remains uncertain. Trump’s nominee to lead the ONDCP, Sara Carter, has described medical cannabis as a “fantastic” option for people with serious health conditions and said she doesn’t oppose legalization, even if she’s not fully on board with it personally.
The policy update follows the White House’s announcement that there are no active plans for cannabis reform. While rescheduling is stalled, others had hoped the administration would at least push forward with cannabis banking legislation. According to CNN, Trump tried to include such a measure in a spending bill before returning to office, but it didn’t make it through.
Marijuana firms like TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF) will be watching to see whether the Trump administration finally gets round to completing the rescheduling work that was started under the previous administration. This policy change could usher in a new era for the industry.
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