The Trump administration is looking at revisiting the scheduling of marijuana which has sparked debate amongst the public and experts alike. The drug is still illegal at the federal level, but 24 states have legalized it for recreational use, and many more permit medical cannabis. President Trump stated in an interview on August 11th that he would consider the reclassification of marijuana. He said his administration would also be taking a look at the potential change.
The shift would see marijuana be made a Schedule III drug from a Schedule I – which is the same classification as drugs such as heroin. This decision could align federal policy with what many states have already implemented. While some see this as a long-overdue shift, others remain cautious, especially given the evolving science about marijuana’s effects on the body and mind.
Understanding Marijuana
Marijuana, known by various names like cannabis, weed, or pot, comes from the flower of the Cannabis sativa plant. Its uses span recreational, medicinal, and industrial applications, with some parts consumed as food and others used for fiber. People most often smoke or vape the plant, but it can also be consumed as edibles or drops.
The primary active ingredients, called cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is responsible for the “high,” while CBD does not have any psychoactive effects but can be used in medical applications.
Trump and Marijuana Reclassification
For decades, cannabis has remained a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. It is currently classified alongside heroin as having high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. In August 2025, Donald Trump expressed interest in following through with the reclassification effort started by President Biden. This would shift marijuana to Schedule III, joining substances such as ketamine and reducing regulatory hurdles. According to Trump, “a decision would be made in the upcoming weeks regarding potential changes to marijuana regulation.”
The Effects of Marijuana
How marijuana affects the user depends primarily on its strain, the method of consumption and amount. When smoked or vaped the compounds immediately enter the bloodstream and effects are felt within seconds to minutes of inhalation. Consuming cannabis through food or drink delays the onset, with effects beginning after 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. However, the psychoactive effects of edibles last longer than that of smoking cannabis. The intensity and duration depend on the strain, method of consumption, and the user’s tolerance of cannabis. THC, the main psychoactive compound, quickly enters the bloodstream, where it alters mood, perception, and physical state.
Effects on the Body
After THC enters the bloodstream, heart rate can rise by 20-50 beats per minute and may remain heightened for up to 3 hours. The eyes are often glazed over and look bloodshot due to the user’s dilated pupils. Users might experience dry mouth, dizziness, a sensation of hot or cold extremities, and muscle relaxation.
Long-term smoking of marijuana can irritate or inflame the respiratory tract. This can lead to chronic cough, phlegm production, and bronchitis. It also increases the risk of lung infections. While marijuana smoke contains some carcinogens, conclusive evidence of a link with lung cancer remains inconclusive.
Beyond its psychoactive effects, THC in marijuana may offer potential medicinal benefits. It can help reduce pain and alleviate nausea. THC is also known to stimulate appetite and help with insomnia. Marijuana’s other non-psychoactive compound, CBD, has potential health benefits for conditions like anxiety and epilepsy.
Effects on the Mind
THC in cannabis alters brain function by releasing dopamine, distorting the sense of time, and increasing sensory hallucinations. The release of dopamine leads to feelings of euphoria and relaxation for many users. For others, especially at higher doses, marijuana can trigger anxiety, paranoia, or panic. THC affects the hippocampus processes information, affecting short-term memory. Cannabis can also affect cognitive abilities and impair judgement, movement, balance, and reaction time can be compromised.
Marijuana use can reduce judgment for up to 24 hours and compromise movement, balance, and reaction time, making driving dangerous. Cannabis may also cause long-term changes in brain structure and function in adolescents, reducing learning and memory. Heavy use can also affect mental health, increasing the risk of psychosis or depression in vulnerable individuals.
Health Risks and Benefits
Due to stereotypes and bureaucracy, studying marijuana, its benefits and risks has long been inconclusive. Both its risks and benefits are highly contested amongst experts and public spheres, with changing attitudes allowing more scientific study on marijuana. Evidence supports cannabis for relief from chronic pain, nausea, and lack of appetite. These effects are useful in cancer or chronic illness care.
On the other hand, smoking marijuana can worsen respiratory problems and amplify the risk of heart attack and stroke in those with existing cardiovascular disease. Research also suggests that marijuana use in pregnant women may affect fetal brain development, and adolescent use is linked to impaired memory and lower IQ. One known benefit is marijuana’s power to relieve some symptoms in conditions like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
From Black Market to Mainstream
Proponents of rescheduling marijuana to a lower classification hope that it will deter users from exploring the black market and opt for safer, legal routes. This change could expand funding opportunities for cannabis businesses, make products safer through regulation, and reduce the illegal trade. As Dr. Carl Hart, a psychologist and neuroscientist, explains, “When you legalize a compound, far more people would go to the legal market, just because it’s simple and people don’t have access to the black market. The illicit market would certainly dwindle”.
What We Still Don’t Know
Despite changing views and medical use, many questions about marijuana’s long-term effects still remain unanswered. Research on both potential medical applications and health risks is hampered by the plant’s legal status. While newer, high-potency strains present unknown risks, many existing studies are observational and cannot establish causation.
The effects of marijuana on your body are complex and can vary significantly depending on how it is consumed, the user’s biology, and the dose. As the legal landscape shifts and President Trump considers reclassification, Americans should look to emerging science and credible sources to navigate both the promises and risks that come with increased cannabis access.
Read More: The Truth About Marijuana and the Developing Brain, According to a Psychiatrist