Big Changes Coming for Cannabis: What You Need to Know

President Donald Trump is likely to sign an executive order soon. This order could make cannabis more accessible. It might also change how it's classified and used in healthcare. The order could move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. This would put it in the same category as Tylenol with codeine. Right now, it's grouped with drugs like heroin and LSD. This change could open up new research opportunities and make cannabis more mainstream. CBD products are expected to be the main focus. These products are popular for treating chronic pain, sleep issues, and other age-related problems. However, the FDA hasn't fully endorsed them yet. The order might also allow Medicare to cover cannabis products for seniors. This is a big deal because it could integrate cannabis into the healthcare system. But some experts are cautious because there's limited evidence on its effectiveness.The Medicare proposal is being pushed by billionaire Howard Kessler. He wants to bypass usual FDA hurdles and use a pilot program to gather real-world data. However, this idea has faced criticism. Some worry about the cost, liability, and potential risks to seniors. The scientific case for medical cannabis is still debated. The FDA has only approved one CBD-based drug for rare forms of epilepsy. Critics argue that the Medicare pilot program could be dangerous. They point to studies suggesting CBD might cause liver toxicity and interfere with other medications. Rescheduling cannabis could also boost the industry. It would make it easier for businesses to access banking and financial services. The cannabis market has been growing rapidly. The global market for cannabis-derived products is projected to hit $160 billion by 2032. Investors are watching closely. Rescheduling could attract more institutional capital. It could also help legitimize the sector for hesitant investors. This could lead to more stocks being listed on major exchanges and shift valuations to fundamental cash flows.