Legislative Update: Navigating the 2025 Marijuana Rescheduling Executive Order
On December 18, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) aimed at modernizing how the United States treats cannabis under federal law, most significantly expediting the move of marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug.
The EO addresses two things: (1) the expedition of the rescheduling process of marijuana, and (2) increasing access and regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.
Rescheduling Marijuana
For decades, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I substance, defined by the federal government as having “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse” (21 U.S.C. § 812).
The new EO directs the Attorney General to expedite the move to Schedule III. This process started in October of 2022 during the Biden Administration, who directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to review how marijuana is scheduled. This change would have two primary impacts:
- It would be an acknowledgment from the federal government that marijuana has accepted medical applications.
- It would reduce barriers for researching cannabis. Schedule III substances are significantly easier to study. Researchers will no longer face the same exhaustive DEA registration hurdles that have historically stifled cannabis research.
While the EO orders the expedition of rescheduling, the existing process still stands. The next step in the process is a hearing on the DEA’s proposed rule to reschedule marijuana. This hearing was originally scheduled for January 21, 2025, but was postponed and there has not been movement since.
Access and Regulation of Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Products
The FY26 Appropriations Bill amended the definition of hemp, shifting the language from the current definition of having no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis to having no more than 0.3% total THC concentration on a dry weight basis. This definition, which is scheduled to take effect in November 2026, would seemingly outlaw many non-intoxicating CBD products.
This EO is urging Congress to revisit this definition to allow for non-intoxicating hemp-derived CBD while cracking down on “intoxicating” synthetic hemp products (like Delta-8) that have raised safety concerns on campuses. In addition to the updated definition, the EO directs:
- The development of a regulatory guidance for hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including guidance on “serving sizes” as it relates to the amount of THC in a product and the ratio of CBD to THC within a product.
- The development of strategies to improve access to hemp-derived cannabinoid products
What The EO Does NOT Change
This EO does not legalize cannabis at the federal level. Because most universities receive federal funding, they must still comply with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. This means that possession and use of cannabis on campus remains prohibited.
HECAOD will continue to follow the rescheduling process to better understand what any changes may mean for campuses. Our fellow center, the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at The Ohio State University, is also an excellent resource for up to date information on the rescheduling process and other legislation related to cannabis.
Cat Packer, Distinguished Cannabis Policy Practitioner in Residence at the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center (DEPC) at The Ohio State University, recently joined Logan Davis, HECAOD’s Outreach and Engagement Manager, for a conversation to discuss what a move for marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. This was recorded on October 21, 2025 as part of the 2025 Virtual National Meeting.
High Times and High Stakes: Understanding the Intersection of Sports Betting, Cannabis Use, and College Prevention Strategies
March 18th, 2025
As attitudes shift and laws evolve, behaviors once considered taboo, such as sports betting and cannabis use, have become commonplace. Many young adults engage in sports betting for entertainment or to enhance their experience of sporting events, while others turn to cannabis for experimentation, socialization, and stress relief. However, emerging research highlights the risks associated with repeated cannabis use and sports betting, may contribute to addiction cycles and broader public health concerns.
This presentation will review the latest research on the relationship between gambling behaviors and cannabis use among young adults. Findings from a longitudinal study of young adult sports bettors (N=210, ages 18-29, across 35 states) will be discussed, shedding light on patterns of engagement, risk factors, and co-occurring behaviors.
College administers and prevention specialists will gain insights into these emerging trends and the implications for young adults navigating their early years of financial independence. The session will also suggest the need for evidence-based prevention strategies to help mitigate the risks associated with sports betting and cannabis use in college populations.
Learning Objectives
- Identify key trends in sports betting and cannabis use among young adults, including how changing policies and social norms impact behavior.
- Examine recent research findings on the intersection of gambling behaviors and substance use.
- Discuss potential prevention strategies and intervention approaches that college prevention specialists could implement to address the growing risks associated with sports betting and cannabis use.
Featured Presenter
Dr. Ty Lostutter
Alcohol, Cannabis and Team Success: Lessons from the Field
November 7th, 2024
Student-athletes spend significant time and energy to be the best in their sport but may not realize the ways alcohol and cannabis use can impact athletic performance and negate all those efforts. Through a real-life example from a national championship-winning coach and his partnership with campus prevention specialists, you’ll test your knowledge on the performance impacts of alcohol and cannabis use, learn how to apply this information to reach student-athletes effectively, and help create healthy, winning team cultures on campus.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the ways alcohol and cannabis use can impact athletic performance.
- Identify student-athlete alcohol and cannabis use norms.
- Apply this information for substance misuse education for student-athletes.
Featured Presenters
Susie Bruce
Max Tankersley
Lars Tiffany
Understanding Passion for Substance Use Among College Students with and Without A Cannabis Use Disorder
January 31, 2024 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET
This webinar session will delve into the complex landscape of substance use among college students. This session will explore the Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP) for substance use, and introduce its components (Obsessive Passion and Harmonious Passion) and their influences on substance use behaviors and use-related outcomes among college students. Additionally, this session will discuss the impacts of global events (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic) on cannabis use and emotional well-being among college students with and without a cannabis use disorder. This webinar aims to underscore the importance of considering passion for substance use in substance use prevention and treatment.
Learning Objectives
- Exploring the Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP) for substance use
- Understanding the components of DMP – Obsessive Passion and Harmonious Passion;
- Examining the relationships between passion for substance use and use-related outcomes
- Impact of COVID-19 on cannabis use and emotional well-being among college students with and without a cannabis use disorder
- Implications for intervention and prevention strategies on substance use
Drug-Free Schools & Communities Act: Cannabis Legislation Updates & Impacts
December 9, 2020
Participants will learn about policy requirements relating to cannabis use, updated cannabis legislation, and the Drug Free Schools & Communities Act. Participants will be able to summarize campus federal requirements in relation to the changing cannabis laws and the impact on college campuses.
Presenter
Adam Jussel, J.D.
THC Concentrates: The Changing Face of Cannabis Culture ft. Officer Ryan Snow
June 3rd, 2016
This webinar will educate participants on how commonly misused prescription drugs work in the brain to produce euphoria, dependency, and addiction—and how their absence may cause withdrawal. We will identify factors that increase a drug’s addiction potential, including a drug’s formulation and route of administration. Lastly, we’ll conclude by discussing the current approaches to treat opioid addiction or to rescue an opioid overdose.
