President Donald Trump is facing growing pressure from patient groups and policy experts to take bold action on medical marijuana reform as his administration considers the future of cannabis policy. A coalition of more than 40 patient organizations recently urged Congress to maintain protections for medical programs, calling medical marijuana programs “a lifeline for millions of Americans.” The push comes as Trump has acknowledged the complex nature of marijuana policy while expressing support for medical applications. During recent discussions about cannabis reform, sources report that Trump has privately told supporters he plans to move forward with rescheduling efforts that began under the previous administration. According to The Hill, Trump recently called marijuana policy “very complicated” while noting he had “heard great things” about medical marijuana, reflecting his evolving stance on the issue. This marks a shift from his previous administration’s approach, as advocacy groups now see an opportunity for significant federal reform under his leadership. Trump administration weighs major cannabis policy overhaul Former Rep. Bob Barr, who once blocked Washington D.C. from implementing medical cannabis laws, recently argued that marijuana’s status as a Schedule I drug “creates major barriers for researchers and doctors.” He added that the idea cannabis has “no known medical use” is “clearly outdated.” The rescheduling process, which began under President Biden’s directive in 2022, has stalled at the Drug Enforcement Administration level despite widespread public support. Patient advocacy groups are pushing for comprehensive federal legislation that would “align federal cannabis policy with state laws and integrate medical cannabis into mainstream healthcare.” Americans for Safe Access, the nation’s largest medical cannabis advocacy organization, has created model legislation for an Office of Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoid Control at the Department of Health and Human Services. Under the advisement of a top prohibitionist, 9 Republican U.S. House lawmakers sent the Trump administration a letter urging the DOJ to kill a cannabis rescheduling proposal."Marijuana rescheduling will enable criminal activity and harm our kids."https://t.co/jElqEJFYGO pic.twitter.com/2BjMzv9lD0— Cannabis Biz Times (@CBTmag) August 29, 2025 The urgency for reform is underscored by research showing that counties with cannabis dispensaries see opioid death rates drop by about 30 percent within 10 years of opening their first dispensary. Trump made tackling the opioid epidemic a signature priority in his first term, and advocates argue that medical cannabis could be part of the solution to the ongoing crisis that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Research shows that three out of 10 patients with chronic pain use cannabis to manage pain and improve daily function, often reducing or replacing opioid treatments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in 2021, 51.6 million U.S. adults lived with chronic pain, while chronic disease drives 90 percent of the nation’s $4.9 trillion in annual healthcare spending. Meanwhile, more than 40 percent of patients diagnosed with cancer use cannabis for sleep, mood, stress, anxiety, depression and pain. If the Drug Enforcement Agency follows the Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation to move cannabis to Schedule III, it would become easier and less costly for researchers to study medical applications. However, experts note that rescheduling alone will not fix the systemic challenges facing patients or businesses, as state medical cannabis programs would still need annual congressional protection from federal interference. The Trump administration faces pressure to create lasting solutions that go beyond simple rescheduling to establish comprehensive drug policy reforms that prioritize patient access and safety.