Drug Policy Alliance Presses Trump to Deschedule Marijuana

The Drug Policy Alliance on 26 August launched an online petition calling on President Donald Trump to remove marijuana entirely from the Controlled Substances Act, arguing that full descheduling—not the administration’s contemplated shift from Schedule I to Schedule III—is necessary to end federal criminal penalties and repair past harms of prohibition. In an action alert to supporters, the advocacy group said that rescheduling would leave cannabis possession and certain commercial activities subject to federal enforcement, even as larger companies benefit from tax relief. The petition urges the White House to pair descheduling with measures such as expungement of prior convictions, a public-health-oriented regulatory framework and reinvestment of cannabis tax revenue in communities disproportionately affected by past drug laws. Trump told reporters earlier this month that he is “looking at” rescheduling and expects to decide within weeks, calling the issue “very complicated.” His 2024 campaign platform endorsed easing banking restrictions for the industry and supporting state-level reforms, but the president has not committed to full legalization. The DPA campaign seeks to influence that decision ahead of the anticipated announcement.