Schedule I to III A Shift at the Federal Level, a Conversation in Utah

Utahns are reacting after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to speed up the federal reclassification of marijuana. The move shifts cannabis from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III, marking the biggest federal change in decades.

For many in Utah, the decision feels long overdue.

Why the Federal Change Matters

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said the old classification never made sense.

“When you think about marijuana being Schedule I and fentanyl being Schedule II, it shows how outdated the system was,” Gill said.

For years, marijuana sat in the same category as drugs like heroin and LSD. Because of that, legal research in the U.S. was extremely limited.

Now, the reclassification opens the door to expanded scientific study.

Utah Laws Are Not Changing Yet

Despite the federal shift, marijuana laws in Utah remain the same. Gill explained that simple possession is still a Class B misdemeanor under state law. That will not change unless Utah lawmakers decide to act.

What Local Businesses Are Watching Closely

Some Utah business owners see opportunity mixed with uncertainty. Midvale farmer and herbal medicine shop owner Steve Murdock, who runs Farmer and Chemist, said more research is a positive step.

His hemp-based products remain legal and contain very low levels of THC. However, he said the long-term impact on the hemp industry is still unclear.

Medical Cannabis Providers Feel Validated

Medical cannabis providers see the move as progress.

Scott Ericson, CEO of Standard Wellness and The Forest dispensary in Murray, said the change helps legitimize cannabis as medicine.

For Ericson, the work is personal. His wife’s cancer diagnosis years ago led him to advocate for patient access. Today, more than 100,000 Utah patients rely on medical cannabis for pain, sleep issues, and PTSD.

A Shift at the Federal Level, a Conversation in Utah

While federal policy is moving forward, Utah’s laws remain unchanged for now. Still, the order allows for better research, clearer data, and more informed discussions. For many across the state, that alone feels like progress.

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