Cannabis policy in the USA - reflecting Trump and Biden administrations

TLDR 
The Biden administration supports rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, aiming to facilitate research, reduce tax burdens, and attract investment. This marks a shift from the Trump administration, which did not pursue substantial cannabis reforms despite industry growth. Biden's proactive stance sets a precedent for integrating cannabis into the U.S. economy and healthcare system.

The Biden administration's recent support for rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance marks a pivotal shift in U.S. drug policy. This move, officially confirmed by President Joe Biden in May 2023, could significantly impact the cannabis industry by facilitating research, reducing tax burdens, and attracting institutional investment. Biden's backing aligns with his administration's broader approach to drug policy reform, emphasizing science-based decisions and addressing historical injustices related to drug enforcement.

Under Biden's directive, the formal rulemaking process has begun. New rules and a legal opinion have been submitted to the Federal Register, initiating a 60-day public comment period. Despite potential bureaucratic hurdles and time constraints due to the upcoming presidential election, the administration hopes to complete the process by early 2025. Biden's proactive stance contrasts sharply with the previous administration's approach.

During Donald Trump's presidency, from 2016 to 2020, the cannabis industry experienced significant growth, but federal policy remained largely stagnant. While Trump's administration did not actively dismantle existing cannabis protections, such as the Cole Memo, which provided guidelines for federal enforcement of marijuana laws, it also did not pursue substantial reforms. Trump's stance on cannabis was often ambiguous, and his administration missed opportunities to advance meaningful legislative changes despite growing public and state-level support for legalization.

Interestingly, some analysts suggest that Trump's lack of a firm stance on cannabis policy allowed the industry to thrive in a period marked by significant investment and expansion. However, this period of growth lacked the foundational federal support that the Biden administration is now attempting to establish.

The potential rescheduling under Biden could pave the way for more comprehensive cannabis reform, potentially influencing future administrations. While Trump's position on cannabis remains uncertain for any future political ambitions, Biden's actions indicate a clear direction toward integrating cannabis into the mainstream U.S. economy and healthcare system, setting a precedent for how federal cannabis policy could evolve.

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