GOP lawmakers opposed President Donald Trump's decision to ease federal restrictions on marijuana on Thursday.
The President signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to complete the reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous drug, although the directive does not legalize marijuana for recreational use. Many Republicans have warned the president to make marijuana a Schedule I drug, arguing that the substance poses a threat to public safety and can be addictive in young people. (RELATED: CNN's Harry Enten says Democrats could get burned if Trump reclassifies marijuana)
Marijuana currently has the same classification as heroin, synthetic opioids and ecstasy, which are considered substances that have “no currently recognized medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
Trump's directive would complete the transition of marijuana to a Schedule III drug, easing some restrictions on research and expanding medical use, regardless of state laws.
“It's a drug,” Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, who said his brother died after a lifelong battle with drug addiction, told reporters Thursday.
“Marijuana affects your brain. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it,” the Florida Republican said.
“I'm concerned that marijuana is more dangerous than people say,” South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said when asked about the expected reclassification.
The duo, both close Trump allies, are among 22 Republican senators who sent a letter to Trump on Wednesday urging the president to support marijuana as a Schedule I drug. Four members of the Senate GOP leadership also signed the letter, first Punchbowl News. reported.
“Marijuana continues to meet the definition of a Schedule I drug due to its high potential for abuse and lack of FDA-approved uses,” the 22 GOP senators wrote. “Evidence shows that marijuana is harmful to its users, especially young people and pregnant and breastfeeding women.”
Across the Capitol, 26 House Republicans wrote a similar letter calling on Trump to refrain from reclassifying marijuana. The group argued that marijuana is “a harmful drug that is worsening our nation's drug addiction crisis.” letter Fox News reports this.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 11: Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) leaves the Senate floor on December 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
Schedule III substances are defined as having a “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” Drugs in this category include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and Tylenol with codeine.
The reclassification process began under former President Joe Biden's administration in 2024, but he did not complete the reclassification before leaving office.
“The facts force the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legal for medical purposes if used carefully,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday.
Trump also established pilot program Thursday allowing Medicaid beneficiaries to be reimbursed for certain types of CBD treatments.
CNN senior reporter Harry Enten said Tuesday that Trump may improve his political standing among young people if he moves forward with easing federal restrictions on marijuana.
“This issue could help, among other things, help bring them back into the president's camp,” Enten said. “So to me, this could become a wedge that the president can actually use against his Democratic opposition.”
In 2024, Trump, among other things, promised to expand the use of marijuana for medical purposes, reclassifying the drug if he is granted a second term. He also supported a ballot initiative in his home state of Florida to legalize marijuana for recreational use by those 21 and older. Voters rejected referendum in November 2024 after vocal opposition from Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state GOP.
“In my district in particular, we are not big proponents of marijuana,” Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who represents a Gulf Coast district outside Tampa, told reporters Wednesday.
Kayden Olson contributed to this report.
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