Trump's Cannabis Law Shift In The US Explained As Experts Warn Of Troubling New Side Effect

Donald Trump has shared that he is open to revisiting existing cannabis laws after scientists uncovered a side effect that had not been documented before. His comments have sparked renewed attention on how cannabis is handled across the country, especially as more people rely on it for medical or recreational use.

The United States currently has a mix of state-level rules governing the drug. These laws vary widely, and the legal status often depends on whether the cannabis is being used to treat medical conditions or taken recreationally. This creates an uneven landscape that can be confusing and leads to different expectations depending on where someone lives.

For medical use, cannabis can be prescribed for a range of issues such as chronic pain, where many doctors see it as a safer option compared to opioids. It is also sometimes used to help with symptoms related to Multiple Sclerosis or to ease the difficult side effects of chemotherapy. These medical uses have led some people to believe the drug behaves the same across all situations, though the broader legal framework remains complicated.

Even with medical availability in many states, recreational cannabis presents a very different legal situation. Some states now permit people to possess small amounts, while others still enforce strict rules about both possession and where cannabis can be used publicly or privately. This patchwork of laws has created an ongoing national debate that shows no signs of slowing down.

Trump recently suggested that his administration is considering a deeper look into the classification of cannabis. Speaking earlier this year during a press conference, he said his team may reassess the legal standing of the drug at the federal level. His remarks signaled that a policy change may be possible, even though it remains unclear what direction that change might take.

He said: "We're looking at reclassification, and we'll make a determination over the next - I would say, over the next few weeks, and that determination hopefully will be the right one."

Cannabis is federally illegal but some states have introduced exemptions massimo colombo/Getty

Offering a response that stood out compared to his usual bold statements, Trump added: "It's a very complicated subject."

He continued by saying: "I've heard great things having to do with medical and bad things having to do with just about everything else." His comments show that he is aware of the growing conversation around cannabis, even though he has not committed to a clear plan yet.

On a federal level, cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act first introduced in 1970. This category is assigned to drugs considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Despite this, individual states have created their own exemptions that allow for medical or, in some cases, recreational use, adding further complexity to the federal-state divide.

Many states have approved medical exemptions, which allow patients with qualifying conditions to access cannabis legally. Other states, including California, have gone further by permitting adults to possess small amounts of cannabis for recreational use. These expanded allowances have contributed to an evolving national conversation about whether federal law should be updated to match the changing attitudes across the country.

Cannabis is prescribed for several medical conditions Ekaterina Demidova/Getty

Trump's comments have resurfaced following the identification of a previously unknown side effect in people who use cannabis regularly or over a long period of time. According to researchers, the condition may affect individuals who consume the drug often and could pose more health risks than many users realize.

The condition, known as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), can cause intense nausea and lead to repeated episodes of vomiting. It is often overlooked because many people assume cannabis settles the stomach, but doctors say that long-term use may have the opposite effect in some cases.

Emergency medicine specialist Dr. Chris Buresh explained: "Some people say they've used cannabis without a problem for decades. Or they smoke pot because they think it treats their nausea."

"It seems like there's a threshold when people can become vulnerable to this condition, and that threshold is different for everyone. Even using in small amounts can make these people start throwing up."