When Donald Trump stepped up to deliver his State of the Union address, he touched on the economy, border security, crime, and the usual parade of political applause lines. But according to leaders in the cannabis industry, there was one thing noticeably absent from the spotlight: marijuana rescheduling.
Last December, Trump signed an executive action directing federal officials to review moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. That shift would formally acknowledge medical use and ease some of the regulatory and tax burdens weighing on state-legal cannabis businesses. For many in the industry, the State of the Union seemed like the perfect, high-visibility moment to reinforce that commitment.
Instead, cannabis reform didn’t make the cut.
Industry advocates say that omission speaks volumes. With most states now allowing marijuana in some form—medical, recreational, or both—the disconnect between federal law and state policy continues to create headaches for businesses. From punishing federal tax rules to limited banking access, operators are still navigating a legal gray zone.
Leaders at the National Cannabis Industry Association and others argue that while executive actions and statements are encouraging, what the industry really needs is follow-through. Rescheduling isn’t just symbolic—it could significantly reshape how cannabis companies operate, pay taxes, and access financial services.
For now, the rulemaking process continues in the background. But for advocates hoping to hear marijuana reform mentioned on one of the biggest political stages of the year, the silence was louder than any applause line.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
