Marijuana Rescheduling: What You Need To Know

On Thursday, Dec. 18, the President signed an executive order directing the executive branch to expedite the administrative process to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

For a comprehensive explanation of the implications of the Executive Order, see the CANNRA factsheet published Friday, Dec.19, 2025.

Key takeaways:

• Marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I drug. It has not yet been rescheduled. The timeline for rescheduling is currently unclear and will be accomplished through federal action. State-level involvement will be limited to providing data if requested.
• Rescheduling will have no immediate impact on Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program. View the CANNRA factsheet to see potential long-term implications. 
• OMMA patient licensees will continue to register with OMMA for new and renewal medical marijuana cards, and purchase medical marijuana as they normally would at licensed dispensaries per OMMA rules. 
• No changes to tax exemptions will occur unless and until there is an official change in federal policy. 
• Rescheduling may make it easier to conduct marijuana research at the federal level, but the scope is still unknown at this stage in the process. Those interested in marijuana research in Oklahoma are encouraged to explore the marijuana OMMA research license.
• As announced on Dec. 18, physicians are still required to register with OMMA and complete OMMA-approved continuing medical education by Jan. 1, 2026.
• The Executive Order also directs top White House staff to work with Congress to give patients access to full-spectrum CBD products, while restricting unsafe hemp products. The timing and details of the pilot program announced are still unknown.

OMMA will continue to monitor federal developments closely and share additional information as it becomes available regarding any potential impacts to Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program.

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