Breaking News: President Trump Signs Executive Order to Reschedule Marijuana

Don’t miss important updates about Arkansas’ marijuana program. Subscribe to our newsletter and get the latest straight to your email!

A major shift in federal marijuana policy is now underway! On December 18, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to begin rescheduling marijuana under federal law. This announcement marks one of the most meaningful marijuana federal policy changes in decades, and it’s especially impactful for medical marijuana patients.

Although this update does not legalize marijuana at the federal level, it does officially recognize marijuana’s medical value and removes barriers that have limited patient access, research, and progress across the country. Read on to learn more about the changes to come and what rescheduling means for you.

What the Executive Order Means

The executive order instructs federal agencies to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

Schedule I substances are defined as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Marijuana has remained in this category for many years, alongside drugs like heroin. Schedule III substances, however, are recognized as having medical use and a lower risk of misuse.

This shift reflects what many patients and healthcare providers across the country already understand. Medical marijuana is used by individuals managing chronic pain, seizure disorders, cancer, PTSD, and other serious health concerns in states with regulated programs like Arkansas.

When signing the order, President Trump explained that the request came from patients who have lived with severe pain and long-term medical conditions for years, many of which marijuana can positively impact.

This Does Not Make Marijuana Legal Nationwide

Rescheduling marijuana does not automatically legalize it at the federal level. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and individual states continue to control how it is regulated and accessed. While rescheduling may help move future policy discussions forward, it does not change current laws, and nothing takes effect immediately for patients or state programs.

In Arkansas, the medical marijuana program remains unchanged; patients must continue to follow state requirements. To legally purchase products from licensed dispensaries, patients must have an active Arkansas medical marijuana card. At Arkansas Marijuana Card, we specialize in renewals via telemedicine, meaning you can get your card renewed in the comfort of your home!

Why Rescheduling Matters for Medical Marijuana Programs

Federal rescheduling brings meaningful benefits for medical marijuana programs, andone major impact involves federal taxes. State-licensed marijuana businesses have been restricted from using standard tax deductions due to an IRS rule known as 280E. Moving marijuana to Schedule III allows those businesses to claim deductions that were previously unavailable, which, over time, can support decreased pricing, improved operations, and more access for patients.

Rescheduling also makes medical research easier. Since marijuana has been classified as Schedule I, researchers faced strict limitations that made studies difficult to conduct. Removing those barriers allows researchers to build on existing knowledge, strengthening medical guidance and improving patient care. 

Why Keeping Your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card Active Matters

For Arkansas patients, nothing changes immediately as a result of this federal update. The state’s medical marijuana program will continue to operate as it does today.

Keeping your medical marijuana card active is important; you cannot legally purchase marijuana from Arkansas dispensaries without one. Renewing on time each year helps ensure uninterrupted access to regulated products and protects your legal patient status.

As federal and state policies continue to evolve, having an active card also prepares you for future changes where patient benefits or access may expand. Maintaining your card ensures you remain compliant with state law and are positioned to benefit from ongoing progress.

Additional Hemp-Related Review Included in the Order

The executive order also directs federal agencies to review existing hemp laws. Hemp products remain subject to federal restrictions, and lawmakers continue debating limits on intoxicating hemp-derived products.

This review focuses on improving access to full-spectrum CBD that does not cause intoxicating effects, with distribution limited to regulated, licensed dispensaries, rather than unregulated retail locations. Selling these products at dispensaries ensures the same testing, labeling, and oversight as other marijuana products.

While CBD can be helpful for some patients, many medical patients prefer regulated medical marijuana products that contain THC. THC plays an important role in relieving symptoms such as chronic pain, muscle spasms, nausea, sleep issues, and appetite loss. Medical marijuana products sold through dispensaries offer predictable dosing and safety standards.

There is also discussion around whether certain non-intoxicating CBD products sold through dispensaries could eventually be covered under federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If changes move forward, this could expand treatment options for patients while still maintaining proper medical and regulatory oversight.

The Bottom Line

Federal marijuana rescheduling is a major step forward for medical patients. It formally recognizes marijuana’s medical value and removes barriers that have slowed research and progress for decades.

While this change does not legalize marijuana nationwide, it strengthens the foundation for medical programs like Arkansas’s. For patients, staying informed and keeping a medical marijuana card active remains the only way to maintain legal access to Arkansas dispensaries and be prepared as policies continue to develop.

Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Today!

Medical marijuana is legal in Arkansas, and we can help you renew your medical card TODAY! If you qualify for your renewal, give us a call, and we can help!

You need your medical card to access any of Arkansas’ medical dispensaries. Not to worry, because it is now easier than ever to renew your card with Arkansas Marijuana Card!

Telemedicine makes it easy for you to renew your card from the comfort of your own home! Schedule an appointment with one of our physicians to get started today!

---

Doctors Who Care

Relief You Can Trust

Here at Arkansas Marijuana Card, we aim to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.

Call us at (844)-249-8714 today, or book an appointment here.

For more blogs like this, plus patient resources and state updates, sign up for our newsletter!