Trump Expected to Label Pot a Less Dangerous Drug

Core Viewpoint - President Trump is reportedly considering an order to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, which could significantly impact the cannabis industry by allowing companies to access banking services and reducing tax burdens [1][2][3] Industry Impact - Rescheduling marijuana would not legalize it but would allow cannabis companies to operate more freely, potentially leading to a different tax status, reducing tax rates from approximately 40% to around 10-15% [3][9] - The cannabis market is currently experiencing volatility, with some stocks, like MISO, seeing increases of up to 38% due to speculation around this potential order [5][13] Regulatory Process - The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are expected to restart the rulemaking process for rescheduling, which is about 70% complete and could be finalized by the first half of next year if expedited [6][17] - There is uncertainty regarding the specifics of the order, as it may face legal challenges if it does not provide clear directives for rescheduling [7][9] Market Sentiment - Retail sentiment is currently high in the cannabis market, with Canadian pot equities also seeing increases of around 30%, although this does not directly apply to U.S. companies [13][14] - The potential for consolidation in the cannabis industry is anticipated as regulatory frameworks improve, with larger companies likely to acquire smaller ones [16][18]