What marijuana does to your body minute-by-minute as Trump looks to make major change to US laws

Donald Trump has recently said his administration is looking into changing how marijuana is classified under U.S. federal law. Right now, cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, even though most states allow it for medical use, and 24 states have fully legalized it for recreational purposes. Because of this, many people assume it’s legal everywhere—but under federal law, it’s still treated as a Schedule I drug, the strictest category. That’s the same level as heroin, meaning it’s considered highly addictive and dangerous with no accepted medical use. This classification was given in the 1970s.

If the change happens, marijuana could be moved down to a Schedule III drug, which would mean the government sees it as having a lower risk of abuse and accepted medical benefits. The Department of Justice has already started the process, with the Attorney General filing a formal notice to review the classification after receiving recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services. This came after President Biden in 2022 asked for a scientific review of marijuana’s status.

Trump, speaking on August 11, said, “We’re looking at it. Some people like it, some people hate it… but we’ll make a determination over the next few weeks.” He noted that some people worry about the drug’s effects on children and adults, while others see benefits.

Cannabis affects people differently depending on the strain, the dose, and the method of consumption. Smoking can bring on effects in two to ten minutes, while edibles take 30 minutes to two hours to kick in. Once the main psychoactive ingredient, THC, enters the bloodstream, it can raise the heart rate by 20 to 50 beats per minute for several hours and cause red eyes due to dilated blood vessels. Within about 20 minutes of smoking, THC is fully absorbed, triggering feelings of euphoria and relaxation in many users—though in some, it can cause anxiety or panic. THC can also trigger “the munchies” by stimulating brain areas that enhance taste and smell.

The peak of the high usually comes around 30 minutes after it starts and can last five to six hours, though concentrated methods like dabbing may only last one to three hours. Even after the high fades, judgment and concentration can be impaired for up to 24 hours.

If marijuana is reclassified, it would still be regulated, but it could be easier for businesses to operate legally, researchers to study it, and patients to access it for medical reasons. Experts say this could take business away from the black market, as people would prefer legal and more reliable sources. Dr. Carl Hart of Columbia University told the BBC that legalization tends to push people toward the legal market because it’s simpler and safer, which would weaken illegal sales.

For now, marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under federal law, but with both Biden’s earlier push and Trump’s openness to change, the next few weeks could bring a major shift in U.S. cannabis policy.