A new poll shows that a clear majority of marijuana consumers strongly support President Donald Trump’s directive to move forward with reclassifying cannabis under federal law — even as many advocates and lawmakers are still awaiting concrete action from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The survey, conducted by cannabis telehealth provider NuggMD, asked 457 adult cannabis users residing in states with legal markets whether they supported Trump’s December executive order instructing the attorney general to expedite the process of rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I — the most restrictive category under the Controlled Substances Act — to Schedule III. About 83 % of respondents said they back the move, with just 7 % opposing it and roughly 10 % expressing no opinion.
Rescheduling wouldn’t legalize marijuana at the federal level, but could reduce barriers to medical research and allow cannabis businesses to claim the same tax deductions available to other legal industries. Two‑thirds of those surveyed said these potential outcomes mattered “a great deal” to them.
Despite enthusiastic support among consumers, tangible progress has yet to materialize. More than a month after Trump’s executive order was issued, the Justice Department has not provided updates on the rescheduling timeline. A DOJ spokesperson recently reiterated that the department has “no comment or updates” on the matter.
Cannabis reform advocates are hoping that Attorney General Pam Bondi will address rescheduling at an upcoming congressional hearing. Supporters of the policy change say lawmakers may use that forum to press for clarity on the administration’s plans — and to urge faster movement on the rescheduling process.
Industry observers say that while presidential directives carry significant political weight, rescheduling still requires navigating the formal rulemaking and review processes involving multiple agencies — including the DOJ and the Department of Health and Human Services. Some stakeholders warn that progress could stall again if procedural hurdles or administrative resistance surface.
As the cannabis industry and reform advocates watch closely, the latest polling underscores a notable shift in sentiment: many individuals who regularly use marijuana view rescheduling as an important step, even if broader legalization is not yet on the federal agenda.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
