This is news that sent a positive shock wave through our community and among scientists around the world. As an enthusiast and expert at CBDTech, I follow legislative developments across the Atlantic very closely, because they often foreshadow the changes to come here, in France and in Europe.
The December 18, 2025 will remain a historic date. President Donald Trump signed a landmark executive order ordering the reclassification of marijuana. Far from being a recreational legalization measure, this strong political gesture has a specific objective: to liberate science. 🧪
In this article, I will decipher for you what this change of status (from Annex I to Annex III) really implies for the medical cannabis, and why, according to experts, this will “open the floodgates” of therapeutic discovery.
⚡ In brief – Key takeaways
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Historical Decree: On December 18, 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order to accelerate the reclassification of cannabis.
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Change of Status: Marijuana moves from Schedule I (hard drugs without medical use) to Schedule III (moderate risks, accepted medical use).
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Scientific Focus: The goal is not recreational legalization, but the facilitation of medical cannabis research.
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End of Barriers: Removal of heavy administrative constraints (secure safes, complex DEA licenses).
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Explosion of Research: Scientists predict a massive increase in clinical studies (pain, anxiety, cancer).
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Budget on the rise: NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding for cannabis hit record highs in 2025.
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Global Impact: An official validation of the potential of medical cannabis which could influence France.
What does this reclassification actually change? 📜
To fully understand the magnitude of this decision, we have to look at where we come from. Until now, in the United States, cannabis was classified as Schedule I (Appendix I), just like heroin or LSD. This classification, dating from the 1970s, officially stated that the substance had “no accepted medical use” and a “high potential for abuse”.
A scientific aberration that we have been denouncing for a long time at CBDTech, especially given the thousands of existing studies on benefits of CBD and THC.
With the executive order signed by Trump, cannabis joins theAnnex III (Schedule III). In this category, we find substances such as ketamine or certain anabolic steroids, known to have medical use. 🏥
Why is this a revolution for researchers?
I often spoke with partners in the United States who described to me the logistical nightmare of studying the plant. As Dr. Ziva Cooper, director of the Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids at UCLA, points out, being on Schedule I meant having to install massive safes mounted on the ground, have security systems worthy of Fort Knox and wait months, even years, to obtain a license from the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).
This reclassification brings down these walls. This means less bureaucracy, lower costs for laboratories and an ability to launch human studies much more quickly.
“Opening the floodgates”: The enthusiasm of the scientific community 🔬
The expression on the lips of all the experts interviewed by NBC News is clear: it will "open the floodgates" (open the valves). It's a feeling that I totally share. Imagine how much we still don't know about the entourage effect or minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBN) because research was limited!
Susan Ferguson, director of the Institute on Addiction, Drugs and Alcohol at the University of Washington in Seattle, said the change will have a “huge impact” on the ability to conduct research.
“The biggest obstacle was not the lack of scientific interest, but the administrative burden. By removing these obstacles, the Trump administration is finally allowing science to catch up with the reality of patient use.”
Additionally, funding follows. Data shows that NIH funding for scientific research on cannabis reached approximately $340 million in 2025 (compared to 233 million in 2023). This is a sign that the American federal government is investing massively to finally understand how this plant works.
Implications for medical and therapeutic cannabis 💊
This executive order does not change state recreational laws, but it changes everything for patients. Dr. Brooke Worster, a palliative care physician and oncologist, explains that we are sorely lacking in data on precise dosages. Many patients use cannabis to manage:
- Chronic pain
- Nausea linked to chemotherapy
- Loss of appetite
- Severe anxiety and post-traumatic stress
However, without rigorous studies (the famous randomized controlled trials), doctors are still hesitant to prescribe. This reclassification will make it possible to carry out these studies. We will no longer speak only of anecdotal experiences, but of strong clinical evidence.
This will also make it possible to study the risks. Because yes, as experts, we must be honest: cannabis is not trivial. It may have drug interactions. This opening of research will make it possible to secure use for the most fragile patients. To find out more about current advances, I invite you to consult our category dedicated to medical cannabis articles.
At CBDTech we are following this closely 🇫🇷
Why is this important for us in France? Because the United States often gives the "la". This official recognition of the medical usefulness of cannabis at the US federal level puts positive pressure on European governments to accelerate their own processes.
At CBDTech, we have always campaigned for an approach based on science and quality. This is why we favor products Full Spectrum, which respect the integrity of the plant (the entourage effect) that researchers talk about so much.
In my personal experience, I have seen clients have their quality of life transformed by high concentration products, used intelligently. If you are looking to understand this potential, I recommend taking a look at our flagship product, theCBD oil 40% Full Spectrum. This is typically the kind of cannabinoid-rich formulation that will benefit from future studies to validate its effectiveness on intense stress or intractable pain.
Conclusion: A promising future 🌟
The decree signed by Donald Trump in December 2025 marks a turning point. By putting science before ideology, by reclassifying the cannabis in Schedule III, the United States is opening a new era for medical cannabis.
We are finally going to move from “they say it works” to “this is how and why it works”. For us, hemp and natural health enthusiasts, this is the best news of the year. Stay tuned to CBDTech, because we will continue to decipher each new discovery from this future research for you!
Take care of yourself naturally,
The CBDTech editorial team
Frequently Asked Questions about the reclassification of Cannabis ❓
What does the move to Annex III change for cannabis?
The transition from Annex I (hard drugs without medical use) to Annex III (substances for medical use with moderate risk) officially recognizes the therapeutic value of cannabis. This removes the heavy federal restrictions that previously blocked scientists, thus facilitating access to funding and study authorizations.
Does this decree legalize recreational cannabis in the USA?
No. The decree signed by Donald Trump in December 2025 specifically targets the medical research. Marijuana remains a federally controlled substance, but its less restrictive status allows pharmaceutical companies and universities to study it legally, without allowing recreational over-the-counter sales at the federal level.
What are the expected benefits for patients?
In the short term, this does not change immediate access, but in the medium term, it is crucial. “Opening the floodgates” of research will allow the development of cannabis-based treatments with precise and proven dosages for pathologies such as chronic pain, epilepsy, anxiety or side effects of cancer, guaranteeing better safety for patients.
What is the impact of this decision for CBD in France?
Although it is an American law, it has global influence. It scientifically validates the benefit of cannabinoids. This reinforces the legitimacy of the products we offer at CBDTech (such as Full Spectrum oils) and could encourage European and French authorities to further soften their position on medical cannabis.
Why are we talking about record funding from the NIH?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has allocated nearly $340 million to cannabis research in 2025. This is a strong signal that the American state now considers this research a public health priority, which will accelerate the discovery of new therapeutic applications for hemp.
