Focus’ Jim Daly to Pres. Trump: Strongly and Unequivocally Oppose Reclassification of Marijuana

by Paul Batura | December 15, 2025 | Culture

In recent days, President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to reclassify marijuana from a ‘Schedule I controlled substance’ to a ‘Schedule III’ – a significant and troubling shift in American drug policy.

The Schedule I drug classification communicates the substance’s highly addictive and destructive nature. A new study that analyzed over 15 years of research found that use of marijuana is known to significantly increase episodes of psychosis and anxiety. Long seen as a “gateway drug,” it’s also often the starting point for many users who go on to struggle with a lifetime of broader and more extensive addiction.

Should President Trump downgrade marijuana to Schedule III, the substance would be in the same category as anabolic steroids and Tylenol with codeine.

Earlier this year, Mr. Trump acknowledged the strong opinions about the drug.

“Some people like it, some people hate it,” the president said. “Some people hate the whole concept of marijuana.”

It’s no wonder why.

Use of cannabis increases a person’s chance of developing a bipolar disorder or schizophrenia by an average of 47%. It’s also shown to significantly increase hallucinations and paranoia.

Should the president issue an executive order downgrading the drug, the Justice Department would then move to reschedule as recommended.

What’s the case for the reevaluation and reclassification?

Supporters are pushing for it because they contend it would make it easier to research the drug and presumably find new uses and benefits. Yet the most recent research has found that the hype surrounding the medical claims and benefits of marijuana are wildly overblown.

In fact, it’s been determined that regular use of medical marijuana leads to a higher chance of heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease.

Not surprisingly, pro-pot companies are pouring money into the political coffers of representatives and urging them to support the reclassification of the drug.

Media reports indicate Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has urged the president to not reclassify the drug. An article in last week’s Washington Post suggested the Speaker shared his concerns via telephone but that he was rebuffed by several administration officials.

As a member of the House, Speaker Johnson’s opposition to both the decriminalization of marijuana and the expansion of pot access has been clear. Citing the distortion and abuse inside the industry, he’s opposed the Medical Marijuana Research Act and the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act back in 2022.

Focus on the Family president Jim Daly has written to President Trump and urged him to not classify the drug. “Having lived in Colorado, one of the early states to legalize pot, I can attest to its harm,” Daly noted Monday.

In a letter delivered to President Trump last week, Jim Daly urged:

Not only is marijuana addictive, but it also impairs cognitive function and judgment – thus increasing the risk of motor vehicle and other accidents. To add insult to injury, pot is detrimental to users physical health and can increase the likelihood of chronic lung disease and even cancer. 
With all of this in mind, it is imperative for our federal government and leaders to continue sending a strong message about the negative impact of marijuana use and addiction. I pray that you will strongly and unequivocally oppose this reclassification effort for the sake of the health and well-being of American citizens.

President Biden was considering a similar reclassification but ultimately decided against doing so.

Loosening federal restrictions on marijuana is a bad idea that threatens and hurts the health of the very people in purports to help. If the established goal is to make America healthy and great again, this objective will not be reached by increasing access to poisonous pot.