Recent actions regarding medical cannabis rescheduling have significantly altered consumer sentiment towards the Trump administration’s cannabis policy, according to a new survey. The quarterly presidential approval tracking poll from NuggMD and Marijuana Moment, conducted from May 7-26, found that 73 percent of cannabis consumers now approve or strongly approve of the administration’s cannabis actions. This represents a substantial shift compared to the last quarter of 2025, prior to the executive order directing officials to finalize rescheduling, when only 6 percent expressed approval.
The move to reclassify medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is currently underway, though it faces legal and legislative hurdles. This regulatory adjustment is specifically limited to medical cannabis authorised under state programs and cannabis medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with potential for expansion dependent on an upcoming administrative hearing process.
Consumer Sentiment on Medical Cannabis Rescheduling
The NuggMD and Marijuana Moment survey, which interviewed 484 cannabis consumers in states with legal markets, indicated broad support for the rescheduling initiative itself. Eighty-six percent of respondents favoured the reform, while 10 percent opposed it and 4 percent held no opinion. Andrew Graham, head of communications at NuggMD, noted that the top-line net approval figures have reversed over the past six months, reflecting a 115 percent net swing in sentiment.
Key findings from the survey include:
- 73 percent of consumers approve or strongly approve of the administration’s cannabis actions post-rescheduling.
- This compares to 6 percent approval in the last quarter of 2025.
- 86 percent of respondents support the policy of moving medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.
- If the administration were to pursue broader federal legalisation of cannabis, 61 percent of consumers reported they would support it ‘much more,’ and an additional 12 percent would support it ‘a bit more.’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration is proceeding with medical cannabis rescheduling due to its popularity among voters and its potential to improve access for medical purposes.
Regulatory Framework and Legal Challenges
The reclassification of medical cannabis under the CSA is an administrative process, but it has not proceeded without challenge. Three Republican state attorneys general from Indiana, Nebraska, and Louisiana have filed a lawsuit challenging the federal rescheduling action. The filing, submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, asserts that the agency action was improperly promulgated, procedurally improper, exceeds pertinent authority, and is arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion.
This lawsuit has been consolidated by the court with a separate legal challenge initiated by the prohibitionist organisation Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA). The Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Blanche, and DEA Administrator Terrance Cole are named as defendants in the consolidated suits. Separately, a federal judge recently dismissed litigation brought by SAM that contested a new administration initiative to cover up to US$500 worth of hemp-derived products annually for eligible Medicare patients.
Congressional Opposition to Rescheduling
In a related development, a House committee earlier this month voted to prevent federal officials from taking further steps to implement cannabis rescheduling. This legislative action indicates ongoing debate within Congress regarding the federal government’s approach to cannabis policy, even as administrative processes continue.
Outlook for Medical Cannabis Rescheduling
The current landscape for medical cannabis rescheduling is characterised by a significant shift in public support, alongside active legal and legislative opposition. The administrative hearing process is anticipated to provide further clarity on the implementation and scope of the reclassification. Stakeholders in the medical cannabis sector are monitoring these developments closely, as the outcomes will influence regulatory compliance and market dynamics for medical cannabis products.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
