White House Doubles Down on Support for Marijuana Rescheduling Despite Pushback From Former Drug Czar
- The White House supports President Trump’s decision to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, despite criticism from former drug czar Bill Bennett.
- Trump’s executive order aims to expedite reclassification to recognize medical use federally and expand research, though it does not legalize marijuana nationwide.
- Bill Bennett opposes the move, citing concerns about marijuana’s impact on student focus, academic performance, and its role as a “gateway drug.”
- The administration emphasizes the reform’s focus on advancing medical research and treatments, particularly benefiting veterans, and remains committed to the rescheduling process.
The White House is standing firm on President Trump’s decision to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law, pushing back against criticism from former drug czar Bill Bennett. Bennett, who served as Education Secretary under President Ronald Reagan and later as the nation’s first “drug czar” under President George H.W. Bush, told Fox News Digital that while he supports most of Trump’s agenda, he opposes the move to reschedule marijuana.
“I love Donald Trump,” Bennett said in comments reported by Fox News. “I love almost everything he does, but I don’t love this.”
In December 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to expedite the process of reclassifying marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. Moving marijuana to Schedule III would recognize accepted medical use at the federal level and significantly expand research opportunities, though it would not legalize marijuana nationwide. In late January we reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed several individuals that a final rescheduling order would be issued in the coming days, although as of February 16 the order remains unpublished.
Speaking at the signing, Trump said the change “will make it far easier to conduct marijuana-related medical research, allowing us to study benefits, potential dangers, and future treatments,” adding that it would have “a tremendously positive impact.”
Bennett argued that marijuana harms student focus and serves as a “gateway drug,” claiming it contributes to absenteeism and declining academic performance. He also raised concerns about cultural normalization of marijuana use among young people.
The White House, however, made clear that the administration is not backing down. White House spokesman Kush Desai told Fox News Digital today that the move is part of the president’s pledge to expand research into marijuana and cannabidiol.
“The President’s historic action paved the way for the development of promising new treatments for American patients, especially veterans,” Desai said, noting that leaders from law enforcement and veterans groups attended the Oval Office signing ceremony.
Despite criticism from some corners of the conservative movement, the administration appears committed to moving the rescheduling process forward, framing it as a research-focused reform aimed at supporting patients and veterans.