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Texas Reclassifies Medical Marijuana, Opening Doors for Research and Access

KVIA••ABC News
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On April 23, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. This significant change aligns Texas with federal guidelines and places medical marijuana alongside certain pain medications, potentially easing tax and regulatory burdens on the cannabis industry. While this order does not legalize recreational use or remove marijuana from the federal controlled substances list, it aims to facilitate more rigorous research into its safety and efficacy, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare providers. The move follows President Trump's earlier announcement regarding the reclassification efforts.

Key Details: • Reclassification effective as of April 23, 2026 • Marijuana now classified with medications like ketamine and testosterone • Does not legalize recreational use or unregulated sales • Could lead to expanded research opportunities in cannabis safety

health marijuana legal research regulation

People & Organizations

TexasDonald TrumpTodd Blanche

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