Trump and Cannabis Policy Predictions: What Could the Future Hold for the Cannabis Industry?

With President-elect Donald Trump set to return to the White House in 2025, many people are asking: what could this mean for cannabis laws? The cannabis industry has been growing steadily, but federal laws remain a major roadblock. Trump's potential policies, including changes like cannabis rescheduling, could redefine how the industry operates, affecting businesses, consumers, and even state governments.

Trump's Past Approach to Cannabis

When it comes to cannabis, Trump’s first term was really something of a mixed bag. While he often said states should decide their own cannabis laws, he also appointed anti-cannabis officials like Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Sessions made the headlines by rescinding the  Cole Memo, a policy that had previously given states with legalized cannabis some breathing room from federal interference.

Still, Trump didn’t seem particularly interested in making cannabis a big issue. His administration largely left the industry to fend for itself, allowing it to expand under certain state laws. So, what does this tell us about how he might handle cannabis policy in 2025? Could we see a continuation of his hands-off approach, or will his policies shift with the changing regulatory framework?

One clue might come from Trump’s broader focus on deregulation during his presidency. It’s possible he could push for cannabis rescheduling to remove some red tape, and almost certainly if he sees an economic or political advantage.

What Happens if Cannabis is Rescheduled?

If there’s one potential game-changer under the next Trump presidency, it’s federal rescheduling. Right now, marijuana is a Schedule I drug under federal law, which puts it in the same category as heroin. That designation claims cannabis has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, which is something many experts and advocates strongly disagree with.

Moving cannabis to a lower schedule, such as Schedule II or III, would acknowledge its medical benefits and ease some restrictions. For instance, researchers would have an easier time studying its effects, and businesses could gain better access to banking services and federal tax deductions.

But rescheduling wouldn’t come without its own complications. States have their differing cannabis laws, which often conflict with the standing federal rules. If rescheduling brings stricter federal oversight, it could create new challenges for businesses that have been operating under state guidelines. Companies might have to meet new production, testing, or labeling requirements, adding layers of red tape to an already heavily regulated industry.

Could Medical Marijuana Access Expand?

Trump’s new administration might focus on expanding medical marijuana access by prioritizing cannabis research, as well as  federal rescheduling to clear the way for new cannabis-based therapies to hit the market. For anyone dealing with chronic pain, epilepsy, or PTSD, this would be a life-changing development.

If cannabis gains more recognition as a legitimate medical treatment through the rescheduling, it might also nudge some holdout states to legalize medical marijuana. Federal support would make it easier for patients in those restrictive states to access treatments and encourage more healthcare providers to recommend cannabis for certain conditions.

The ripple effects on cannabis industry jobs would also be significant, expanding medical marijuana programs, and creating a demand for skilled workers, from cultivation experts to lab technicians. As companies work towards developing new cannabis-based medicines, they may also form partnerships with pharmaceutical giants, blending the two industries that once seemed worlds apart.

What Should Businesses and Consumers Expect?

The cannabis industry is no stranger to rapid change, but the incoming administration in 2025 could really kick things into overdrive. Businesses will need to stay agile and prepare for potential changes in regulation. If the federal policies shift, companies might need to update their operations quickly to stay compliant. For some, this could mean scaling up to compete in a national market; for others, it might mean investing in legal or regulatory counsel.

Consumers, on the other hand, might benefit from the expanded access to cannabis products and possibly even lower prices if the market opens up. We should also brace for potential changes in how products are regulated and marketed. Federal rules may lead to more consistency in product quality, but they might also restrict certain product types that are currently popular in state-legal markets.

The Bigger Picture: Jobs, Innovation, and Politics

No matter how federal cannabis policy changes, one thing is certain: the stakes are high. The marijauna industry already supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the US, from budtenders to researchers. Federal legalization or rescheduling would create even more cannabis jobs, as businesses begin to expand and new markets open.

The cannabis industry is bracing for what could be a pivotal moment. For years, cannabis policy in the U.S. has been a stagnant swamp, marred by shifting public opinion, state-level experimentation, and federal inaction. As the nation watches how the next Trump administration plans to manage this evolving policy, many are asking: Will this presidency pave the way for long-awaited reforms, or will it tighten the reins on a rapidly growing industry?

Trump’s cannabis policy in 2025 may redefine not just the rules governing cannabis but also the broader political and regulatory ecosystem that surrounds it, setting the stage for sweeping changes that could impact businesses, consumers, and the economy as a whole.

Looking Ahead: What Does the Future Hold?

So, what does all of this mean for the future of cannabis? While it’s impossible to predict exactly how the 2025 Trump leadership will handle cannabis policies, there’s a good chance we’ll certainly see some momentum. Whether it’s through the lenses of cannabis rescheduling, expanded medical access, or even federal marijuana legalization.

For businesses, the key will be staying informed and adaptable. For consumers, it’s about keeping an eye on how federal changes might impact access and pricing. And for advocates, the work of pushing for fair and balanced cannabis policies will remain as important as ever.

The cannabis industry has come such a long way in a relatively short time, but the next chapter may bring some of the most significant changes yet. Whether those changes are going to help or hinder the industry will depend largely on how the federal policies are shaped, and how prepared the industry is to adapt.