Trump Signs Order to Loosen U.S. Marijuana Restrictions

President Donald Trump has ordered a major shift in how the U.S. government treats marijuana. He signed an executive order to move the drug from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law. This is the most significant change to federal drug policy in decades. Schedule I is for substances with "no currently accepted medical use" and a high potential for abuse, like heroin. Schedule III is for drugs with a moderate to low potential for dependence, like some prescription painkillers. The change eases restrictions on marijuana. It will allow for more medical research into the drug's potential benefits and risks. The move has sparked immediate criticism from some members of Trump's own Republican Party. They argue it contradicts the administration's broader "law and order" message. The order does not make marijuana legal nationwide. State laws, where it is legal for medical or recreational use, remain in effect. However, the federal reclassification marks a historic step toward a new national approach.