Marijuana like paracetamol? Donald Trump kept his promise

The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday changed the classification of marijuana products approved by federal regulators and state authorities from the highest restriction category to Category III, significantly easing regulations. This is the most far-reaching change in marijuana policy in decades.

The order, issued by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, includes the immediate reassignment to Category III of marijuana products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and products sold under state medical licenses. It was also announced that an accelerated administrative procedure would be initiated, which would lead to the complete transfer of marijuana from category I to category III. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled to begin on June 29.

The Ministry of Justice is implementing President Donald Trump's promise to expand Americans' access to treatment options, Blanche wrote in a statement. He emphasized that the reclassification will enable research on the safety and effectiveness of marijuana, and thus “will provide patients with better care and doctors – more reliable information.”

So far, marijuana was included in the federal list in category I – alongside, among others, heroin, LSD and ecstasy – as a substance with a high potential for addiction and without a recognized medical use. Category III, which now includes the products covered by the regulation, includes substances with a moderate or low addiction potential, such as ketamine, paracetamol with codeine and anabolic steroids.

The change does not legalize marijuana at the federal level and does not directly affect the sentences of people serving sentences for cannabis possession offenses.

The order implements an executive order Trump signed on December 18, 2025, directing the attorney general to take all steps to downgrade marijuana as quickly as possible. The reclassification process was initiated by the Joe Biden administration in May 2024.

Currently, recreational use of marijuana is legal in 24 of the 50 U.S. states, and for medical purposes in 40 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories.

From Washington Oskar Górzyński (PAP)

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