Donald Trump may have a lifelong aversion to drugs, but he knows that some of his base feel differently.
According to Axios, the Trump Administration has moved to reclassify state-licensed marijuana. This does not represent full legalization or decriminalization, but it does mean a change, as well as a step towards doing so.
“President Trump’s acting attorney general ordered the immediate reclassification of FDA-approved and state-licensed marijuana as a less dangerous drug Thursday,” the Axios report said. “The move will make it easier to study medicinal applications of marijuana and could shore up support from influencers who support the research.”
The announcement was made by Trump’s former attorney, Todd Blanche, who is the acting attorney general.
Under the decisive leadership of @POTUS, this Department of Justice is delivering on his promise to improve American healthcare. This includes:
• Immediately rescheduling FDA-approved marijuana and state-licensed marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II
• Ordering a new,… pic.twitter.com/DUtqKQgavl
— Acting AG Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) April 23, 2026
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“These actions will enable more targeted, rigorous research into marijuana’s safety and efficacy, expanding patients’ access to treatments and empowering doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions,” Blanche wrote on X.
The Daily Beast categorized the move as the president “trying to win back the favor of his podcasters through pot.” That story also characterized the rescheduling of marijuana as “a long-sought outcome for podcast bros credited with strengthening Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.”
Trump had already relaxed restrictions on psychedelic drugs, with Joe Rogan at his side for the White House ceremony.
NEW: Joe Rogan shares an exchange he had with President Trump during an executive order signing to fast-track FDA review of psychedelics already designated as breakthrough therapy drugs:
“Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it.” pic.twitter.com/8GPStMgGoY
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 18, 2026
“Trump’s team is reportedly eager to curry favor with some of the most prominent voices in the manosphere, perhaps none more so than Joe Rogan. The podcaster, who averages about 11 million listeners, has repeatedly touted the potential of psychedelic drugs—particularly ibogaine—to treat serious mental illnesses like substance dependence,” The Daily Beast said.
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
