Will Trump Reclassify Marijuana? How This Would Impact Indiana’s Marijuana Laws

Federal policy on marijuana may be on the verge of one of its biggest shifts in history. Reports suggest that former President Donald Trump is weighing whether to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Such a move would represent a dramatic change in how the federal government views marijuana, acknowledging its medical value for the first time.

While this shift wouldn’t legalize marijuana nationwide, it could ease restrictions on research, reduce penalties, and reshape the medical marijuana landscape for patients and providers. More importantly, it would likely spark renewed debate in states like Indiana, where medical marijuana remains unavailable under current state law.

Here’s what you need to know about what rescheduling means, why it matters, and how it could impact Indiana’s marijuana laws.

What’s Happening at the Federal Level

Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, the strictest category, alongside substances like heroin and LSD. This designation means it is considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

The Trump administration is reviewing whether marijuana should instead be placed in Schedule III, which is reserved for substances with accepted medical uses and a lower risk of dependency, such as certain pain medications. Moving marijuana to this category would mark the first federal recognition that it has medical value.

Why Rescheduling Matters

Rescheduling would not legalize marijuana nationwide. However, the shift from Schedule I to Schedule III could bring several important changes:

1. Expanded Medical ResearchResearchers would have greater access to study marijuana’s medical benefits, something that has long been restricted under Schedule I rules.

2. Tax Benefits for Businesses: Marijuana businesses are currently unable to claim standard tax deductions due to federal tax code restrictions. A move to Schedule III would allow them to operate on a more level playing field financially.

3. Banking Access: The change could encourage more banks to serve marijuana businesses, reducing the reliance on cash-only operations and improving safety in the industry.

4. Reduced Federal Penalties: While marijuana would still be regulated, federal penalties for possession, use, and distribution could become less severe.

What This Means for Indiana

While Indiana currently has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the country, federal rescheduling could help set the stage for change.

At present, medical marijuana is not yet legal in Indiana, and recreational use also remains prohibited. The state does, however, allow the use of low-THC CBD oil derived from hemp, showing that lawmakers have already taken steps toward recognizing the potential benefits of cannabis-related products.

If marijuana is reclassified at the federal level, it would not automatically change Indiana’s laws, but it could build momentum for future reform. Rescheduling would signal that the federal government acknowledges marijuana’s medical value, which may encourage Indiana legislators to revisit medical marijuana proposals and take a closer look at expanding patient access in the years ahead.

Possible Impacts on Indiana

If Trump does move marijuana to Schedule III, Indiana could begin to feel the ripple effects in a few important ways. Federal acknowledgment of marijuana’s medical use may shift public opinion, adding pressure on state lawmakers to revisit stalled bills aimed at creating a medical marijuana program. 

Rescheduling would also mean that federal penalties would become lighter, though Indiana’s state-level restrictions would still apply until local laws change. Perhaps most significantly, reclassification could serve as a catalyst for reform advocates, giving them a stronger footing to push for change by framing it as a matter of aligning Indiana’s policies with evolving federal standards.

Final Thoughts

If marijuana is reclassified at the federal level, it would represent a historic change in how the United States views and regulates the plant. For Indiana, however, the direct impact would remain limited until state leaders decide to take action.

Rescheduling may not bring immediate access to marijuana for Indiana residents, but it could open the door to more meaningful conversations about reform. Until then, Indiana remains one of the few states where marijuana is still completely prohibited, even as federal attitudes begin to shift.

Get Ready for Medical Marijuana in Indiana

Although lawmakers seem to be stalling the inevitable, medical marijuana will be legalized in Indiana eventually. You may have to wait for Indiana’s lawmakers to figure out that their job security may depend on their support for medical marijuana, but you don’t have to wait to start the journey to natural relief!

Reserve an evaluation online today, and we’ll book an appointment for you with one of our qualified, compassionate doctors as soon as Indiana’s medical marijuana market is up and running.

You and your new doctor will discuss your conditions and if you qualify for an Indiana Marijuana Card, as well as what medical marijuana can do for you. And you’ll even save $25 off the cost of your evaluation!

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Doctors Who Care.

Relief You Can Trust.

We’re dedicated to helping all people safely and conveniently find relief and wellness through access to medical marijuana. By focusing on education and inclusion, we hope to reduce the stigma surrounding cannabis and those who want to use it to enhance their health.

If you have any questions, call us at (833) 781-7755, or simply reserve a medical marijuana evaluation today!