Trump Signs Marijuana Reclassification Order, Cameras Catch Him Drowsy in Oval Office
President Donald Trump, 79, signed a landmark executive order Thursday to ease federal marijuana restrictions and reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug, a move that could expand medical research and reduce federal regulatory barriers. According to multiple outlets, the order directs federal authorities to move marijuana from Schedule I toward Schedule III.
The ceremony in the Oval Office, however, quickly became a focal point for public reaction after cameras showed Trump appearing drowsy and struggling to stay awake as the event unfolded. Images and video from the signing circulated widely online, fueling debate over the president’s energy and alertness at public events.
Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, but the reclassification could ease research restrictions and allow for more clinical studies of cannabis and CBD-based treatments, according to AP News and Reuters reporting.
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The event’s atmosphere shifted from policy announcement to public scrutiny when California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s team posted on X (formerly Twitter), “NAP TIME FOR THE BIG GUY,” commenting on Trump’s apparent fatigue.
While some online commentators portrayed the moment as a genuine nap, no official White House statement confirmed that Trump fell asleep, and observers noted only that he seemed drowsy. The executive order still marks one of the most significant federal shifts on marijuana policy in decades.
The broader political implications include renewed debate over federal drug policy and presidential fitness, with critics and supporters taking opposing views. The signing followed years of incremental reform and comes as public support for medical marijuana remains strong.
What happens next?
The executive order’s directives will work through federal agencies like the DEA and FDA, and Congress may face pressure to consider broader legalization measures.
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