GOP Lawmakers Break With Trump On Loosening Federal Restrictions For Marijuana

GOP lawmakers pushed back against President Donald Trump’s decision to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana Thursday.

The president signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to finish reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, though the directive does not legalize marijuana for recreational use. A vast swath of Republicans warned the president to keep marijuana as a Schedule I drug, arguing the substance is a threat to public safety and has addictive risks for young people.

Marijuana currently has the same classification as heroin, synthetic opioids and ecstasy, which are considered substances that have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

Trump’s directive would finalize the rescheduling of marijuana to a Schedule III drug, which would ease certain research restrictions and expand medical uses, regardless of state laws.

“It’s a gateway drug,” Republican Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who said his brother died after a lifelong battle with drug addiction, told reporters Thursday.

“Marijuana impacts your brain. There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it,” the Florida Republican said.

“I’m concerned that marijuana is more dangerous than people say it is,” Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said when asked about the anticipated reclassification.

The duo, both close Trump allies, are among the 22 Republican senators who sent a letter to Trump on Wednesday, urging the president to uphold marijuana as a Schedule I drug. Four members of Senate GOP leadership also signed the letter, Punchbowl News first reported.

“Marijuana continues to fit the definition of a Schedule I drug due to its high potential for abuse and its lack of an FDA-approved use,” the 22 GOP senators wrote. “The evidence shows that marijuana is harmful to its users, especially to young people and women who are pregnant and nursing.”