Two of the nation’s largest nursing organizations are applauding the Trump administration’s decision to move forward with federally rescheduling marijuana, calling it a significant step toward expanding scientific research and aligning federal drug policy with modern medical practice.
Following President Donald Trump’s recent executive order directing the attorney general to complete the process of moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, both the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) issued statements welcoming the move if it is finalized.
The ANA said rescheduling cannabis would remove longstanding barriers to research and improve the ability of clinicians to rely on evidence-based guidance. In a statement, the organization said the change “advances public health by expanding access to rigorous research, supporting evidence-informed clinical care, and reinforcing patient safety through regulated study and oversight.”
The group noted that it had previously supported the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation—issued under the Biden administration—to reclassify marijuana. According to the ANA, placing cannabis in Schedule III acknowledges existing scientific evidence showing it has accepted medical use and a safety profile consistent with other substances in that category. The organization added that the shift would create clearer alignment between federal law and real-world medical practice, offering more consistent guidance for both patients and health care professionals.
The AANA echoed those sentiments, with representatives invited to attend the Oval Office signing ceremony for the executive order. AANA President Jeff Molter said rescheduling would significantly broaden opportunities to study how cannabis and cannabinoids interact with anesthesia, pain management and perioperative care.
“Reclassification will expand opportunities for rigorous research into how cannabis and cannabinoids can provide pain relief,” Molter said, adding that certified nurse anesthetists have already played a leading role in this area of study. He said the association looks forward to working with federal agencies to ensure implementation prioritizes patient safety and high-quality care.
Other health care organizations, including the American Pharmacists Association, have also voiced support for rescheduling, citing similar benefits for research and clinical oversight.
As the rulemaking process moves ahead, lawmakers in Congress are signaling interest in broader cannabis reforms, ranging from granting marijuana businesses access to banking services to full federal legalization. State officials in places such as Pennsylvania and Tennessee have likewise suggested that federal rescheduling could help build momentum for advancing their own marijuana policy changes in the coming year.
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