Tax & FinanceNational-May 8, 2026

White House Drug Czar Clarifies That Marijuana Is 'Still Illegal' Following Trump Administration's Rescheduling Move

Key Takeaway

The Trump administration's drug czar is clarifying that move to federally reschedule marijuana doesn't make cannabis broadly legal. "It's still illegal," Sara Carter Bailey, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), said in an interview with Newsmax this week. "Executive-level Schedule III allows for doctors and research and for medicine,

What This Means for Cannabis Businesses

Tax developments like this directly impact the bottom line for every cannabis operator. With Section 280E creating effective tax rates above 70% for many businesses, any shift in federal tax policy - whether through rescheduling, court rulings, or IRS guidance - can mean the difference between profitability and closure. Cannabis business owners should work closely with a specialized CPA to understand how these changes affect their specific situation.

This analysis is based on reporting by Marijuana Moment. Read the original article. CannaBizGuide provides original commentary and analysis - this is not legal or tax advice.