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Trump signs executive order to expedite marijuana rescheduling
thehill ^ | Dec 18, 2025 | Joseph Choi

Posted on 12/18/2025 11:32:09 AM PST by backpacker_c

President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to speed up the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to the less severe Schedule III, with the stated goal of expanding cannabis research.

“The executive order the President will sign today is focused on increasing medical research for medical marijuana and CBD — cannabidiol,” a senior administration official said in a press briefing. “The president is very focused on the potential medical benefits, and he has directed a commonsense approach that will automatically … start working to improve the medical marijuana and CBD research to better inform patients and doctors. That’s the primary goal.”

A Schedule III substance is believed to have a “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.”

The executive order will have no impact on criminal penalties or the recreational use of marijuana.

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cbd; faroutman; marijuana; schedule1toschedule3; thc; trump
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I have mixed feelings on this.

The intent of the legislation is to expand cbd use, however, the industry would prefer to have high levels of thc, which would make items intoxicating and having people seek increasing levels to get high.

Ultimately, it'll be used to expand recreational marijuana use, which I don't like the idea of.

Openning marijuana use to recreational use ends up with lots of dumbed down people who prefer to stay stoned, because they can't be responsible enough to control their use.

1 posted on 12/18/2025 11:32:09 AM PST by backpacker_c
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To: backpacker_c

Part of MAHA?

What does RFKJr say?


2 posted on 12/18/2025 11:33:31 AM PST by Paladin2 (MAHA?)
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To: backpacker_c

I used to be all in on the weed but now not so much. What I have to say won’t make any diff so I’ll save the rest of this rant for Jesus.


3 posted on 12/18/2025 11:39:12 AM PST by The Louiswu (USA FIRST...USA FOREVER)
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To: backpacker_c
Ultimately, it'll be used to expand recreational marijuana use, which I don't like the idea of.

Yup. I live in Arizona, and saw the move from "medical" to "recreational". I believe some of the medical marijuana people (autism, cancer, glaucoma) have honest intentions, but they were ALWAYS fast to make alliances with "Dr." Tommy Chong and Woody Harrelson, who appeal to the Cannibis Lifestyle class.

Even when it was "medical marijuana", there were billboards for cannibis gummies, pizza and cheeseburgers. Do you know of any true prescription medicine that is so flippant about dosing?
4 posted on 12/18/2025 11:39:19 AM PST by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: backpacker_c

This is a very good move.

It has NOTHING to do with recreational use.

People in most states can already get all the pot they want.

You might do some research.


5 posted on 12/18/2025 11:40:06 AM PST by laplata (They want each crisis to take the greatest toll possible.)
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To: Paladin2

RFK jr was at the signing of the EO...

He spoke about how the rescheduling will expand research into what health benefits it has.

Trump emphasized the rescheduling isn’t saying marijuana is legal, however, it changes the penalties for it’s possession.

For clarity, there are people that can control their use of marijuana....

However, I’ve heard that in some schools in Los Angeles, up to 1/4 to 1/3 of the students are using and are under the influence in class


6 posted on 12/18/2025 11:44:15 AM PST by backpacker_c
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To: backpacker_c

How has not enough research been done over the last 65 years?


7 posted on 12/18/2025 11:46:47 AM PST by Paladin2 (is)
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To: backpacker_c

The American College of Surgeons reported that over 40% of fatal accidents showed THC in the drivers’ bloodstreams. We have no idea of the long-term psychological impact of repeated use of the new-and-improved marijuana. This is not your father’s pot and the risk of psychotic behavior is greater. We have no idea of the long-term probability of lung cancer for pot smokers, or the impact of second-hand smoke, especially on children. There is no regulatory agency to monitor additives. Paranoia and lethargy may be the least of the consequences of modern weed use.


8 posted on 12/18/2025 11:46:51 AM PST by MHT
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To: backpacker_c

“1/4 to 1/3 of the students are using and are under the influence in class” That is because of parental negligence-an issue for child protective services...


9 posted on 12/18/2025 11:49:53 AM PST by Texan5 ("You've got to saddle up your boys, you've go to draw a hard line"...)
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To: Dr. Sivana

Yes-prescription psychotropics, anti-depressants and all the rest of the mind-altering drugs are advertised in dozens of TV commercials every evening, on every channel-by people smiling, singing and dancing because they are so happy with the effects of the drugs-with a barely-audible voice in the background listing side effects that include permanent disability and death...


10 posted on 12/18/2025 12:02:20 PM PST by Texan5 ("You've got to saddle up your boys, you've go to draw a hard line"...)
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To: Paladin2

Being classified as schedule 1 limited it’s access to research and research funds.

Annodotal evidence says cbd seems to have some benefits for people, but there isn’t controlled trials compared with placebo, and the few that have been done show mixed results(in other words, likely no benefits)

The problem currently, is that most cbd products have some level of thc, which is what gives people a high, or a buzz, which makes the use of the cbd items addictive.

Above a certain level of thc, the items become classified as marijuana products.

The last budget bill limited the amount of thc in cbd products derived from hemp, which apparently is why rand paul was opposed to the bill and voted no, in support of the hemp industry and his donor there.


11 posted on 12/18/2025 12:03:39 PM PST by backpacker_c
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To: Texan5

I would be happy to ban prescription drug advertising. But even the ads on TV have small print not found on cannibis billboards or ads. I have not seen Ozempic pizzas or cheeseburgers. Dosing is still controlled.


12 posted on 12/18/2025 12:04:21 PM PST by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: Texan5

“1/4 to 1/3 of the students are using and are under the influence in class” = = =

Because the other 3/4 to 2/3 are too stoned to come to school.


13 posted on 12/18/2025 12:35:01 PM PST by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
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To: Texan5

School Kids prefer to Vape I have learned. Ease and lack of customary stink makes it great for use in school. What they are smoking was extracted in a laboratory. Not My cup of tea.


14 posted on 12/18/2025 12:42:37 PM PST by Linda Tripp (America's Best Best Friend)
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To: backpacker_c

Yet the pot available now is far more dangerous and potent than what was around when it was first designated. This is a foolish and dangerous decision. We already have the example of where it has been legalized in states to show everything and indeed much more has occurred as a result of what was warned. Proof, not just evidence, of how destructive the recreational use of pot is. The medicinal uses do *not* come from THC which causes behavioral/mind altering conditions, including permanent brain damage, lowering IQs, psychosis, schizophrenia, weakening inhibitions to react violently, etc. Not to mention how it has empowered cartels, gangs, etc. where it has been legalized. Adverse foreign governments are also pushing this within our borders to make our population more stupefied and docile. And it is putting further strain on our healthcare resources due to the skyrocketing health problems its consumption is causing. That is all irrefutable reality.

Charlie Kirk: Once favored marijuana legalization but mind was changed by facts and reality: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2sOhnHlBuwk


https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4337532/posts Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome: What Is the Illness Sending More Teens to Emergency Room?

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4334179/posts Cannabis Poisoning of Kids is What Happens When You Legalize Drugs

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https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4223571/posts Daily Weed Smokers 25% More Likely to Have Heart Attack, 42% Higher Stroke Risk: AHA

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4221693/posts REVEALED: Chinese gangs are behind THOUSANDS of illegal weed farms across the US - sparking fears that CCP could become new cannabis kingpins

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4183112/posts Health effects of weed laid bare: Marijuana is behind 3 in 10 schizophrenia cases, can be a death sentence in pregnant users, but Biden STILL wants to ease restrictions on the drug

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4122354/posts Cannabis-related emergency room visits on the rise among older adults in California: study

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https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4032377/posts What a drag: Older pot smokers trigger surge in demand for mental-health services

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4069296/posts Cannabis and the Violent Crime Surge

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4070560/posts Cases of Cannabis-Induced Psychosis Rise. Lawmakers Want to Add Mental Health Warnings to Pot Products

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3739774/posts Marijuana and psychosis: Real data, real bad


To: frank ballenger
RE: Several say the amount of active narcotic present in the old 1960s marijuana is passe and now it’s around 30 times more in the new versions. Why?
The marijuana used in the 1960s typically had very low levels of the active compound THC, usually around 1–3%. In contrast, most modern retail cannabis strains regularly test at 20–30% THC—and sometimes even higher.
The main reason for this huge increase:

Selective breeding: Growers have continually chosen plants with higher THC content to develop more potent strains over decades. This was mostly driven by market demand for stronger effects.​

Improved cultivation techniques: The shift from outdoor fields to controlled indoor growing allowed precise manipulation of light, temperature, and nutrients, further boosting THC.​

Genetic engineering and hybridization: Modern cannabis is bred to maximize THC, often at the expense of CBD and other natural moderating compounds.​

Commercial forces: With legalization and the rise of dispensaries, producers compete to offer the most potent product, making high THC a selling point.

So today’s marijuana is far stronger than it was in the past primarily because of deliberate selection, agricultural science, and consumer demand for potency.

17 posted on 11/17/2025, 12:33:49 AM by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
difficulty concentrating and lower grades,
They can barely keep track of texts and clickbait items on their phones during class lectures.
18 posted on 11/17/2025, 12:34:35 AM by frank ballenger (There’s a battle outside and it’s raging. It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: SeekAndFind
Thanks.
Key line to me:
This was mostly driven by market demand for stronger effects.​
I should have guessed.

19 posted on 11/17/2025, 12:36:49 AM by frank ballenger (There’s a battle outside and it’s raging. It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: SeekAndFind; frank ballenger
This was mostly driven by market demand for stronger effects.​

Impossible! We’ve been told it isn’t a “gateway drug” - why would they demand “stronger effects” once they’re addicted and desensitized? < / s >
23 posted on 11/17/2025, 12:43:27 AM by Republican Wildcat
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15 posted on 12/18/2025 12:43:32 PM PST by Republican Wildcat
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To: Paladin2

If there were these “breakthroughs” they would have been discovered in Europe and other places where the restrictions have been far more relaxed for decades (and their societal decay is also more advanced than ours as well...I guess we want to catch up).


16 posted on 12/18/2025 12:45:11 PM PST by Republican Wildcat
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To: backpacker_c

“I want to emphasize that the order I am about to sign is not the legalization [of] marijuana in any way, shape, or form — and in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug... It’s never safe to use powerful controlled substances in recreational manners.”

Link with video...

https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001727599048090011


17 posted on 12/18/2025 1:09:57 PM PST by deks (Deo duce, ferro comitante · God for guide, sword for companion)
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To: Dr. Sivana

“Ozempic pizzas or cheeseburgers.” That is only because no one has figured out a way to produce those yet-and make money from the sale of them. Ozempic and the other weight loss drugs are available with just a call or text to one of several places that are advertised online and on TV-with a “prescription” provided by an online “doc”-that is piss poor control, in my opinion.

Despite the dangerous side effects, I’ll bet those weight loss drugs are available OTC in less than a year-and will become the next cash cow for product liability attorneys soon after that. The same will probably happen with legal weed-if you want a substance/drug to become a lawsuit moneymaker, just start advertising it heavily, and/or make it available OTC so even more people can ignore the warnings and/or overuse it and have adverse reactions...


18 posted on 12/18/2025 1:10:42 PM PST by Texan5 ("You've got to saddle up your boys, you've go to draw a hard line"...)
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To: Scrambler Bob

Well-it is Cali, after all...


19 posted on 12/18/2025 1:13:28 PM PST by Texan5 ("You've got to saddle up your boys, you've go to draw a hard line"...)
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To: Linda Tripp

They’re still smokin’ in the boy’s room-some things never change...


20 posted on 12/18/2025 1:17:20 PM PST by Texan5 ("You've got to saddle up your boys, you've go to draw a hard line"...)
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