WASHINGTON (WOWO) — President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Thursday that would change how marijuana is classified under federal law, according to a senior White House official.

As WPTA reports, the move would reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a lower classification, loosening federal restrictions but stopping short of full legalization.

Under current Drug Enforcement Administration rules, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I substance — the same category as heroin, meaning it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

The proposed change would move marijuana to Schedule III, a category that includes drugs viewed as having a lower risk of addiction and recognized medical uses.

While the rescheduling would ease some federal penalties and research restrictions, it would not legalize recreational marijuana nationwide. State laws would continue to govern possession and use.

Trump first floated the idea of reclassifying marijuana while campaigning last year. Earlier this week, he said he is “strongly considering” the move, citing widespread public support for changing how the drug is treated under federal law.

According to WPTA 21 Alive, the executive order would mark one of the most significant federal shifts on marijuana policy in decades, signaling a softer approach while maintaining federal oversight.

The White House has not yet released the full text of the order, but officials say it is expected to be signed Thursday.