A coalition of House Republicans is pressing President Donald Trump to maintain marijuana’s current classification as a Schedule I drug, warning that reclassifying it could worsen addiction and public safety crises.
According to Fox News, leading the charge are Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., joined by 24 other GOP lawmakers in a formal letter to the president.
“We write to urge you to oppose rescheduling marijuana, a harmful drug that is worsening our nation’s addiction crisis,” the letter reads. “Reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug will send the wrong message to America’s children, enable drug cartels, and make our roads more dangerous.”
The letter reflects a cross-section of the House GOP, including both mainstream Republicans and members of the Freedom Caucus.
Marijuana is currently a Schedule I substance—the same classification as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy—meaning it is considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, according to the DEA.
Trump, however, indicated this week that he is weighing a move to downgrade marijuana to Schedule III, alongside substances such as Tylenol and certain anabolic steroids.
“We are considering that. A lot of people want to see it, the reclassification, because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify,” Trump said.
House Republicans rejected the argument that rescheduling would expand research. “Contrary to the marijuana industry’s assertion that rescheduling will result in more research, the U.S. has already conducted research for decades on this drug,” they wrote.
They cited a 15-year review of studies claiming marijuana has no real medical value and noted that 30% of medical marijuana users develop an addiction.
The lawmakers also highlighted public safety concerns, claiming rescheduling could benefit Chinese government-linked cartels and endanger professionals in safety-sensitive roles, including pilots and truck drivers. They pointed to statistics showing THC is involved in over 40% of fatal car crashes.
“Rescheduling marijuana will not make America great,” the letter concludes. “We hope that you consider the harms of marijuana rescheduling and continue sending that strong message of hope to the next generation.”
The debate underscores the tension between efforts to expand research and legalization and long-standing GOP concerns about drug abuse and public safety.
