At a time when the debate over marijuana policy in the United States continues to divide lawmakers, industry leaders, and the public, President Donald Trump has once again thrust the issue into the national spotlight. Earlier this August, during a high-profile $1-million-a-plate fundraiser at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump expressed a keen interest in reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. According to the Wall Street Journal and sources familiar with the matter, this move could expand medical marijuana research and ease longstanding industry restrictions, potentially reshaping the landscape for both patients and businesses alike.
The event itself was notable not just for its exclusivity and price tag, but also for its guest list. Among those in attendance was Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve, a leading marijuana company. Rivers reportedly encouraged Trump to pursue the reclassification, emphasizing the benefits for medical research and the broader cannabis industry. Her presence underscored the growing influence of cannabis companies in political circles—an influence that has only increased as pot companies have poured millions of dollars into Trump’s political groups and hired some of Washington’s top lobbyists and advisers, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Trump’s remarks at the fundraiser were clear, according to multiple attendees cited in both the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones & Company. He told the assembled guests he was interested in pursuing the change, which would involve moving marijuana to a less restrictive category under federal law. Such a shift would not only expand opportunities for scientific research into cannabis’s medical applications but also make it much easier to buy and sell marijuana, increasing profitability for the multibillion-dollar industry.
This isn’t the first time the idea of reclassifying marijuana has surfaced in the White House. Former President Joe Biden’s administration had started pursuing similar changes, aiming to make marijuana more accessible for research and commerce. However, the Biden administration did not manage to enact these reforms before leaving office after the 2024 election, in which Trump regained the presidency.
Despite the apparent momentum behind reclassification, the prospect of full federal legalization remains uncertain. This was made abundantly clear on August 11, 2025, when former White House press secretary Sean Spicer appeared on the podcast The Morning Meeting alongside journalist Mark Halperin. During their discussion, Halperin suggested that marijuana legalization might be on the horizon, but Spicer was quick to shoot down the idea. “That’s not going to happen. It’s not going to happen,” Spicer said, emphasizing, “No, not under this president. No, no, no. He’s not going to do it, no.”
Spicer’s comments reflect a consistent thread in Trump’s approach to cannabis policy. While Trump has advocated for reforms such as cannabis reclassification, improved banking access for marijuana businesses, and even supported a state legalization initiative in Florida during his campaign, he has never publicly endorsed full federal legalization. The distinction is crucial: reclassification could ease research and business restrictions, but legalization would remove federal prohibitions entirely, opening the door for interstate commerce and broader consumer access.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson addressed the swirling speculation on August 9, 2025, stating, “All policy and legal requirements and implications are being considered. The only interest guiding the president’s policy decisions is what is in the best interest of the American people.” Her remarks echoed the administration’s careful, measured approach to an issue that remains deeply contentious across the political spectrum.
For many in the cannabis industry, the potential reclassification represents a significant, if incremental, victory. Marijuana has been legal in New York for medical purposes since 2016 and for recreational use since 2021, reflecting a broader trend of state-level legalization that has left federal policy lagging behind. If Trump’s administration follows through with reclassification, it could open the floodgates for expanded medical research and reduce the legal and financial hurdles that have long hampered legitimate cannabis businesses. According to Reuters, such a move could also encourage more states to adopt similar policies, creating a patchwork of legalization that puts further pressure on federal lawmakers to act.
Yet, not everyone is convinced that reclassification will be a panacea for the industry’s woes. Critics note that while reclassification might make it easier for scientists to study marijuana and for companies to operate within the law, it stops short of addressing the fundamental conflict between state and federal statutes. As long as marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, businesses still face challenges in securing banking services, accessing interstate markets, and protecting intellectual property.
The political calculus around marijuana policy is complex. Trump’s willingness to entertain reclassification appears, at least in part, to be a response to the substantial financial backing his political groups have received from the cannabis sector. According to Dow Jones & Company, the industry’s multimillion-dollar investments in lobbying and campaign contributions have given marijuana companies a seat at the table—if not a guarantee of legislative success.
On the campaign trail and in office, Trump has walked a fine line, supporting certain reforms while stopping short of outright legalization. His approach stands in contrast to some of his Republican predecessors, who were more openly hostile to marijuana reform, as well as to many Democrats who have pushed for full legalization. The divide is not just partisan; it also reflects generational and geographic differences, with younger voters and those in states with established legal markets more likely to support sweeping changes.
The conversation between Sean Spicer and Mark Halperin on The Morning Meeting podcast highlighted these divisions. While Halperin expressed optimism about the prospects for legalization, Spicer’s unequivocal rejection signaled that, for now, the administration’s ambitions remain limited to reclassification and targeted reforms. “Despite advocating for cannabis reclassification, banking access to the sector, and a state legalization initiative in Florida during the campaign, Trump has not publicly supported federal legalization,” noted Marijuana Moment.
For Americans watching the evolution of marijuana policy, the coming months could prove decisive. If Trump moves forward with reclassification, it would mark a significant shift—one that could ripple through the medical community, the business world, and the broader public. But as Spicer’s comments make clear, those hoping for full legalization under the current administration may have to wait a little longer.
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: marijuana’s place in American society and law is far from settled, and the next steps taken by the White House will be closely watched by advocates, opponents, and industry insiders alike.
