Nearly half of Senate Republicans publicly urged President Donald Trump Dec. 17 to abandon plans to reclassify marijuana under federal law, warning the move would harm public health, workplace safety, and the economy.

Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., led the 22 senators cautioning the President that shifting marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act would backfire.

“The only winners from rescheduling will be bad actors such as Communist China, while Americans will be left paying the bill,” the senators wrote, arguing the policy would “undermine your strong efforts to Make America Great Again.”

Under federal law, Schedule I drugs are defined as having “no currently accepted medical use” and a “high potential for abuse.” Marijuana had long been classified as a Schedule I, alongside drugs such as heroin. Schedule III drugs, on the other hand, are considered to have a “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” They include ketamine, testosterone, and Tylenol with codeine. Reclassification does not legalize the drug nationwide but allows for expanded medical research and loosens federal restrictions. 

The senators warned that easing federal restrictions would worsen substance abuse, reduce workplace productivity, and increase road safety risks, while sending the wrong signal amid ongoing drug addiction challenges. They also tied the rescheduling push to policies initiated under the Biden administration, which first proposed the change.

Trump signed the executive order reclassifying marijuana the day after the letter was sent, formally moving the drug to Schedule III. 

In the letter, the senators argued marijuana still meets the criteria for Schedule I classification, citing the drug’s lack of approval from the Food and Drug Administration, “high potential for abuse,” and evidence of significant harm, particularly for young people and women who are pregnant or nursing.

They cited data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, which links marijuana to “depression, anxiety, suicide planning, and psychotic episodes.” 

The senators also pointed to mass shootings they said were connected to marijuana use, including the Aug. 27 shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. The shooter blamed his actions on ‘gender and weed,’ and wrote, ‘I wish I never tried experimenting with either,’” according to the senators’ letter.

The lawmakers warned that marijuana use poses risks to workplace productivity and road safety and cited studies suggesting long-term cognitive effects, including permanent IQ loss.

“We cannot reindustrialize America if we encourage marijuana use,” they wrote. “America’s workplace and America’s roads are endangered by marijuana use.” 

The lawmakers also raised concerns about the financial impact of rescheduling, pointing to what they described as a “massive tax break” for the marijuana industry. Citing industry research, they said rescheduling could deliver a $2.3 billion tax benefit to marijuana companies.

“In light of the documented dangers of marijuana, facilitating the growth of the marijuana industry is at odds with growing our economy and encouraging healthy lifestyles for Americans,” they concluded. “We urge you to continue your strong leadership of our country and our economy, and to turn away from marijuana rescheduling.” 

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