American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley stood alongside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Photo: American Legion Headquarters)
American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Dec. 18 as the president signed an executive order directing federal agencies to expedite the reclassification of cannabis, a move that would lower barriers to medical research and allow the FDA to conduct large-scale studies into its therapeutic value for Veterans.
“This is a really important executive order, and The American Legion has long advocated for this change,” Wiley said in the White House. “Cannabis being classified Schedule I blocks large-scale, randomized clinical trials examining cannabis’ impact on PTSD, TBI, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain… conditions strongly associated with Veteran suicide.”
Cannabis is currently classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, placing it in the same category as heroin and LSD and severely restricting federally approved research. The executive order directs the attorney general to expedite the rulemaking process to reconsider marijuana as a Schedule III drug, a classification that recognizes medical value and legitimate medical use and places cannabis in the same category as medications such as Tylenol with codeine.
The American Legion has pushed for this change for nearly a decade. In 2016, the organization passed a resolution calling for cannabis to be reclassified “as a drug with potential medical value.” Wiley emphasized that the Legion’s position remains focused on research, not recreational legalization.
“Reclassification is not legalization and does not mandate use,” Wiley said. “It simply removes federal barriers to research and informed decision-making. It promotes transparency, clinician oversight, informed consent, and honest patient-provider discussions – reducing unsafe self-medication. Supporting reclassification demonstrates the Legion’s commitment to science, oversight, and saving lives through evidence-based public health policy.”
In a letter addressed to American Legion Family members and friends, Wiley described the executive order as the culmination of years of advocacy. He stated that the change lifts restrictions on large-scale clinical trials that could benefit Veterans, first responders, and others coping with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
President Trump cited Veterans specifically during the signing ceremony, pointing to the potential of cannabis as an alternative to opioid painkillers, which carry heightened risks of addiction and overdose.
“This action has been requested by American patients suffering from extreme pain, incurable diseases, aggressive cancers, seizure disorders, neurological problems, and more — including numerous Veterans with service-related injuries and older Americans who live with chronic medical problems that severely degrade their quality of life,” Trump said.
Veterans groups praised the executive order for supporting evidence-based research. The VFW called the decision an acknowledgment of what Veterans and doctors have argued for years. Data referenced in the executive order states that 20 percent of Veterans experiencing chronic pain reported using fewer opioids after using medical marijuana.
Wiley said the potential impact aligns directly with The American Legion’s Be the One mission to prevent Veteran suicide. He added that even a single clinical trial yielding a life-saving solution would make the effort worthwhile, reinforcing the organization’s long-standing commitment to science-driven policy and Veteran well-being.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
