North Carolina Senator Michael Lazzara (R) Publishes Op-Ed Endorsing Marijuana Rescheduling, Says “I Side with President Trump”

In a recently published op-ed, Lazzara says the move would strike a balance between sound medical science, public safety, and conservative principles.

“As a veteran and someone who represents many veterans in my district, I’ve seen firsthand how medical marijuana can help those struggling with chronic pain and PTSD,” Lazzara writes. “Rescheduling is about promoting research, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and ensuring safer, better-regulated access.” Lazzara’s position aligns with that of former President Donald Trump, who has stated he would support rescheduling marijuana and work with Congress on “common sense laws” related to medical marijuana policy. Lazzara says this reflects a pragmatic approach Republicans can get behind without compromising their values. “I side with President Trump on rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug”, he says.

Under current law, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance, the same as heroin, meaning it is deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Lazzara calls that outdated, noting that millions of Americans legally use medical marijuana for conditions like epilepsy, cancer-related pain, and PTSD.

He argues that rescheduling to Schedule III would ease restrictions on research, allowing universities, hospitals, and private labs to study marijuana’s effects without jumping through excessive legal hoops. It would also lift tax burdens on licensed marijuana businesses by fixing an issue in federal tax code that prohibits them from deducting routine business expenses.

Lazzara also rejects the notion that rescheduling is a backdoor to full federal legalization. “This isn’t about legalizing recreational use nationwide,” he writes. “It’s about recognizing reality and creating a structured, medically focused regulatory framework.”

Calling on fellow lawmakers and federal agencies to support the change, Lazzara frames the issue not as political, but as practical. “It’s time to stand with President Trump on this,” he says. “Rescheduling marijuana is a necessary step forward that honors both medical science and conservative values.”